Making pricing transparent
About Number Translation
Services
Over the years, the rapid growth and
popularity of NTS numbers has resulted in confusion about their
pricing structure. There have been complaints from public and
consumer lobbies about the lack of price transparency and general
dissatisfaction regarding the higher price of non-geographic
numbers compared with local alternatives.
Of particular concern is the lack of
clarity surrounding 0870 and 0845 which, while advertised as
national and local rate respectively, are in essence usually
charged at rates exceeding the costs of a typical geographical
national or local rate. This confusion has, to a certain
extent, been due to the way in which NTS has evolved. When
first introduced, 0870 and 0845 numbers did adhere to market
prices. In subsequent years, geographic numbers became more
competitive while many NTS numbers evolved to fulfil a different
function - that of providing an enhanced customer service.
As a result of consumer pressure and parliamentary lobby,
Ofcom, the independent regulator for the UK
communications industries, has been reviewing the NTS scheme for
the last 18 months. Their proposals will have an impact on most
businesses.
ntl:Telewest Business' responses
to these proposals is publicly available on the Ofcom
website. We do, of course, support any initiative to improve
and maintain the customer experience, however, we opposed certain
key elements of the changes in order to protect business continuity
for service providers and consumers.
ntl:Telewest Business views the key
success of NTS as the establishment of an efficient micro-payment
system for the delivery of consumer services via
telephony. We therefore believe that any shortcomings of the
scheme should be addressed directly, rather than undermining
existing, successful business by making disruptive amendments to
the revenue sharing arrangements. ntl:Telewest Business
suggested that the majority of the issues regarded as primary by
Ofcom could be addressed by providing appropriate consumer
education and communication measures.
We anticipate that these changes to
Number Translation Services will result in a period of increased
confusion and disruption. To help guide you through the changes, we
have put together information on the options available and the way
forward. Find out how these Ofcom changes will affect
you.