[m419]

It's funny you mention that, Ofcom a few years ago cracked down on companies using 0870 numbers as well as phone companies keeping people on hold on purpose to gain revenue share, this eventually led to the withdrawal of revenue share on 0845 and 0870 numbers. It then led to many companies migrating to 0843,0844,0871,0872 and in some cases 0901 numbers to continue getting revenue share. What Ofcom are saying is actually correct it is based on competition and they can't actually do anything about phone companies other than BT,Kingston Communications,Sure Cable and Wireless(Guernsey not Jersey or Isle of Man),Jersey Telecom and Manx Telecom. And it certainly has become something of competition, BT relaxed the charges to 0845 and 0870 numbers and then TalkTalk followed. Virgin Media then allowed 0870 numbers as part of inclusive calls allowances and then Sky followed Virgin Media. I didn't say it was illegal for you to use geographical numbers instead of the designated non-geographical numbers, the phone companies can charge you the 0845/0870 rate of which applies to your calling plan if the terminating phone company bills them in that way. There have been some 0207 1 numbers that have been charged 0871 rate, however it was advertised that it would be 10p per minute. I do agree with your idea that companies should call you back instead of keeping you on hold, that is something that Vodafone and Npower have started doing, it is not allowed to keep people on hold with numbers like 0906,0907,0908 and 0909 and if lines are busy, they must either ring out until a line becomes available and must not be connected until then or have some sort of call me back facility. The same should apply to 070,0843,0844,0871 and 0872 numbers. 0845 and 0870 numbers are down to you, you choose the phone company that charges you the least amount of money or you ask retentions to do something about it.