Fair Telecoms Campaigners pleased to see council change their numbers

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/85809/council-moving-away-from-expensive-0845-numbers

Members of the Fair Telecoms Campaign are pleased to see Rochdale Council is moving away from expensive 0845 numbers.

The council announced today (Friday 7 March) that they will be replacing 13 of its expensive 0845 numbers to cheaper 0300 numbers.

Campaigner Ian Gaplin said: “We are pleased to hear that the council is changing its numbers. It is something we have been campaigning about for years and it is nice to see the public services getting on board.”

The fair telecoms campaign aims to create a fair relationship between consumers and providers in a regulated competitive market for telecoms services as well as making transparent relationships between callers and those they call.

The campaign wants to work with regulatory bodies and campaigners and aims to focus on issues that are relevant where campaigning pressure is demanded and likely to produce results.

The main issue that the campaign is currently addressing is the "improper use" of 0845 telephone numbers by a number of services.

At the end of 2012, cabinet office guidance stated that it was “inappropriate” for services to use higher rate phone lines. A National Audit report recently revealed that it cost callers using 0845 or 0870 number £56m in 2012.

Ian said: “Realistically that £56m figure could be several times that amount.”

Numbers changed by Rochdale Council include those for job vacancies, council tax and housing benefit and strategic housing.

Ian added: “We are very pleased that Rochdale has got on board with these changes as 0845 numbers are expensive for people to use.”

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/85809/council-moving-away-from-expensive-0845-numbers