by Mobilemaniac on 10 April, 2012
Consumers make use of non-geographic numbers to call government agencies, help lines, financial institutions and businesses. Non-geographic numbers are those that begin with 03, 05, 070/076, 080, 0845, 0870, 0843/4, 0871/2/3, 09, 116 and 118. For various payment needs and services, calls are widely made to these numbers. Although, most of these institutions and agencies can be contacted via internet, the popular way to accessing them is via telephone. This suggests the popularity of the non-geographic numbers. Making voice calls is definitely one of the practical and easily accessible ways to contact the people. However, the changing market situations have made the call costs very consuming to most of the customers. Every phone company comes with a different price structure, which results in the calling rates. The research published in December 2010 reviewed market for non-geographic calls.
At times consumers even find hard to obtain information about non-geographic call costs. Organization fails to provide accurate details about the call costs incurred while making calls to them. Lack of awareness among the customers is the major reasons that deter them from making calls to the numbers. Besides, they have very less understanding about the revenue sharing process. Customers overestimate the costs made to non-geographic numbers and withdraw themselves from using them. Consequently, there is a reduction in the need for services, especially for mobile phones. Even socially important services are not accessed by the confused customers, leading to the less use of services though non-geographic numbers.
To tackle these problems, a new set of approach should be introduced. These new methods to the regulation of non-geographic numbers will enable more customers to use the services. Ofcom was given the responsibility to set maximum prices and tariff rules so that the customers are protected effectively related to the provision of electronic communication services through telephone numbers.
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