Leeds MP wins battle for new rules to cut the cost of 0870 calls

The cost of calling 0870 numbers is to be reduced to the same price as national landline rates. Telecoms regulator Ofcom has announced that businesses will no longer get a cut of revenue generated by calls starting with the 0870 number. The changes follow concerns over unclear pricing and marketing of “non-geographic” numbers such as those starting with 0870.

John Battle MP for Leeds West who has campaigned hard for the change said “We live in a age where we should be challenging the cost of goods and services to get a better deal. This proves the phone operators can afford to cut costs to ensure we are not ripped off. And it also shows that the regulator can bite when it is prodded and poked.”

Companies using 0845, 0844 and other 08 code numbers must provide customers with more accurate price information. The cost of calling these numbers will not change, the regulator said. Ofcom will review 0845 call rates – used by some five million UK dial up internet users – within two years.

John Battle MP 25 April 2006