In April this year, Ofcom announced plans to make calling 0800 numbers free from mobiles.

Currently dialling an 0800 is only free from UK landlines, and can cost up to 21p per minute for mobile phone users. With the number of people using their mobile continuing to rise (check out the story in the Telegraph last year), public perception of supposedly ‘free to call’ 0800 numbers is becoming more and more negative.

Consumer watchdogs have said that many mobile callers were already under the impression that calling 0800 numbers were free, and then are hit with the shock charges when their bill arrives.

At the time of the announcement in April 2012, Ed Richards Chief Executive of Ofcom commented: “By making calls to 0800 numbers free from all phones, we will clear up any uncertainty about making calls, especially from mobiles, to the benefit of consumers and service providers alike”

Previously to combat the need for a number that is cheap to call from a mobile, Ofcom introduced the 03 number rang which are charged at a local rate, which means calls are inclusive within mobile minute bundles. To help promote the use of 03 numbers, we have introduced a new site dedicated to them: Visit 03NumberShop.

The current issue with 03 numbers is awareness, in that people either are not aware they exist or are confused by all the different non-geographic numbers available.

By creating a completed free to call 0800 number, would immediately cut out all public confusion and frustration. Though already their are rumours on unrest within the major mobile networks due to the fact of how much call revenue they will loose.

A decision on the proposed changes isn’t expected until early 2013 at the earliest.