2009 changes to the classification of 087 numbers.

From 1 August 2009, all 087 numbers, with the exception of 0870 numbers, were officially reclassified as Controlled Premium Rate Services (PRS) and regulated by the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice.

Changes to 0870 numbers

0870 numbers will now cost the same as calls to national-rate geographic numbers. As a result the amount callers will be charged will reduce substantially and as an operator, you will no longer be able to receive any eligible revenue share on incoming minutes to your 0870 numbers.

Revenue share opportunities are available on 0844 numbers as an alternative to 0870 numbers.

Letting your customers know the cost of 0871 calls

Telephone numbers beginning with 0871 can cost anything between 5 and 10ppm to call from a BT landline. To conform to the new Code of Practice, any companies publishing 0871 numbers need to make sure that the cost of calling them appears alongside their telephone numbers, everywhere they are printed. You are expected to update your collateral as soon as possible, however in the short term PhonepayPlus will allow you to use an answer phone message at the beginning of each call explaining its cost.

If you only promote your number to other businesses (such as on a business card) then you won't need to state the price of the call.

Cutting waiting times

PhonepayPlus also wants all providers to ensure that their waiting times, which they class as an unfair period of waiting between a call connecting and a caller accessing a service, are kept to a minimum as they constitute this as a breach of their Code of Practice. Where this is not possible due to unexpected call volumes, they suggest you should inform your customers of their anticipated waiting time and, if appropriate, their place in any queue.

Getting prior permission

Certain services will require prior permission from PhonepayPlus before they can operate on a premium rate line, for example, international dial-through services, where callers can achieve discounted international call rates by dialling into a service before connecting to their destination number.

For more information on the reclassification of 087 numbers, and how to ensure you are compliant with PhonepayPlus' Code of Practice, visit their website at www.phonepayplus.org.uk