Notice to Existing Customers (August 2007)

CHANGES TO 0870 NUMBER CHARGING

Dear Customer

Following the Ofcom review of 0870 numbering policy, you will shortly receive a letter informing you of some significant changes that are going to come into force in February 2008**. These changes are going to affect the way your organisation receives calls and action is required on your part.

The main change you need to be aware of is that the rate that can be charged for calls to 0870 numbers is to be dramatically reduced. Callers will pay whatever their service provider charges for a national rate call and no more.

It will be no longer possible to derive revenue from these numbers and going forward there will be a charge for receiving these calls.

What this means to you

If your organisation receives free calls or revenue from 0870 calls then consideration needs to be given now as to whether you are prepared to pay for these calls from February 2008**.

If your organisation does not wish to incur a call cost or wishes to derive revenue from inbound call traffic you need to decide on the course of action most appropriate to your business. We have outlined some options below.

• 0844 – our recommended replacement for 0870. 0844 numbers present a national image with a local rate feel and the cost to the caller is no more than 5 pence per minute. A revenue share is still available.
• 0845 – the most widely known and used non-geographic numbers (NGN). 0845 numbers are generally trusted by consumers and offer lower call charges compared to 0870 numbers. Do not provide a revenue stream.
• 0871 – for those businesses looking to maintain a revenue stream, 0871 numbers provide a good alternative to 0870 particularly for business providing event tickets, support or technical advice lines. Callers are charged 10 pence per minute. 0871 numbers do come with some restrictions and will be monitored by the premium rate regulator ICSTIS.
• 0800 – free to call 0800 numbers are a powerful marketing tool and demonstrate a businesses commitment to customer care. 0800 numbers are ideal for businesses that advertise and want to encourage customers to call. The recipient incurs the full cost of the call.
• Do nothing – it is possible for businesses to retain their 0870 number after February 2008. There will, in all likelihood, be a charge of up to 2 pence per minute to receive calls to 0870 numbers after February 2008. Commercial discussions between network operators are continuing at this time that will define the exact level of charge.
  

What we recommend

To make the transition as easy as possible, we recommend that you implement a new number solution as early as possible - maximising the transition time. We also recommend that we continue to route your 0870 number as normal for an agreed period after your new number solution is implemented. This will provide continuity to customers and suppliers that may not yet know the number.

For more information on 0870 pricing and the options available to you please click here (pdf).

We’re here to help

Our customer service and account management teams will be on hand to provide you with the best possible advice, allowing you to make the best decision for your organisation.

We can help smooth the transition by providing helpful services like recorded announcements on existing numbers.

A member of our account management team will be contacting you in the coming months to discuss your options.

In the meantime for more information about these changes and the options available to you please contact your Account Manager on 0800 505 3210*.

Yours faithfully

4tel Communications Limited

*Lines are open 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri.

**Please note that the changes to 0870 pricing originally scheduled for 1st February 2008 have subsequently been delayed due to an Ofcom decision.

The delay in implementing these changes is likely to be 2-3 months.

For more information please contact your Account Manager on 0800 505 3210.

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