Why Is the Semantics of Geography Vital When Ofcom Labels Non-Geographical Number Ranges?
All too often we hear that the UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has had to intervene to change the number ranges and impose certain restrictions on telecoms and mobile operators in order to protect the consumer. In 2011, Ofcom finally intervened into the Freephone 0800 number market, as consumers were being charged up to 2.00 / minute for calls and typically 40p/min made from their mobile phones to 0800/0808/0500 numbers. These numbers historically were labelled and then advertised as ‘free’ or ‘freecall/freephone”. The mobile phone operators have argued, successfully to date, that due to high inter-connect rates i.e. the levy charged for terminating calls onto their networks with Freephone number providers, that they has to pass on these costs to the consumer, but this, it appears is all about to change, in order to make Freephone free from mobiles. Another example of mis-labelling was the ‘local rate’ 0845 and ‘national’ rate 0870 number ranges which, as a result of all inclusive minutes
