News - 2009

At TTNC we provide business’ with many services which allow them to be in total control of their numbers without having to constantly monitor them. With Missed Call Alerts, our customers would receive an email alert every time a call to their number is missed and with our Voicemail service all messages are sent as alerts to our customers via email too.

Understanding that business today is extremely mobile, TTNC has moved to try and provide this level of control and notification whilst on the move. This is why we have introduced our new facility of SMS Message Alerts.

SMS Alerts direct to up to 3 mobile numbers†

All of our current services, which alert you via email, can now have SMS Messages enabled as well as, or in place of email alerts. These include;

Voicemail Alerts Missed Call Alerts Low Balance Alerts

You are able to specify up to 3 mobile numbers for your SMS Message Alerts, similar to the 3 email addresses for Email Alerts. You can read more detail on our Alert Services page.

†SMS Alerts are charged at 15 pence per message (deducted from your Call Credit) or alternatively you can purchase a bulk of SMS Messages, which are stored in your SMS Credit Balance. A new facility is available via the Top up section of the Novero Platform in order to purchase SMS Credits.

In accordance with this new payment system SMS Charge Statistics are now available to view on your account as well as Low SMS Credit alerts similar to Low Call Credit Balance alerts.

Customisible Low Call Credit and Low SMS Credit Alerts

With this new level of control we are also providing our customers with Customisable Low Call Credit and Low SMS Credit alert Thresholds. Until now Thresholds were set at £15, £10 and £5 remaining but you can now change these to amounts more appropriate to your business. Alerts will be sent to you once your Call Credit Balance or SMS Credit Balance passes the set Thresholds. You are able to receive alerts by Email or SMS Message to up to three recipients.

How to take advantage In order to use these new facilities you will need to have an account for our Novero Platform, which every customer gets after purchasing a telephone number from our website. Once you have logged into your Novero account, these options will be available to you provided you have the relevant services purchased and enabled on your account. For further assistance please consult our online Novero Platform Manual.

Following an announcement to PipeMedia and PipeCall customers informing them that their service would be disconnected on the 30th of October, 2009, TTNC is pleased to announce that we now have a Porting agreement in place which enables us to Port in Non Geographic Numbers using the PipeMedia and PipeCall service.

TTNC’s Managing Director, Mark Burcher said; “We will be pleased to offer assistance to PipeMedia and PipeCall customers who face being left without a service on their Non Geographic Numbers after the 30th of October, 2009. We appreciate that these customers rely on their phone numbers for business purposes and they cannot afford to be without a service, therefore we did our very best to get a Porting Agreement in place to enable us to take over these customers numbers before their service finishes. If a PipeMedia or PipeCall customer Ports their Number to us then they will not suffer any downtime or disruption to service.”

TTNC is able to Port In the following Non Geographic Numbers;

0845 Non Geographic Numbers (also known as Lo-Call or Local Numbers) 0844 Non Geographic Numbers (Fixed Rate Numbers, up to 5 pence per minute) 0870 Non Geographic Numbers (also known as National Numbers) 0871 Non Geographic Numbers (Fixed Rate Numbers, up to 10 pence per minute) 03 UK Wide Numbers (0333, 0344, 0345, 0370, 0371, 0300 Numbers)

We would like to thank our customers for their patience concerning our server and platform changes that we have implemented recently. We hope the resulting service is of an even better standard than before.

Full details of our server upgrade can be found on our website:

TTNC - New servers and platform upgrade

If you’re confused by call charges or don’t know your 03 from your 0845 numbers, then we have the perfect guide for you.

There are so many different types of phone number these days that it can be hard keeping tabs on how much they cost to call.

Our guide looks at some of the common numbers in use today, what they are used for and how much it costs to call them from a BT landline.

You can then download the guide, print it off and keep it by your phone so that you’ve always got the facts at your fingertips.

Geographic numbers

The guide gives you the lowdown on geographic numbers – numbers beginning 01 or 02 – as well as 03 numbers, which many organisations now use as an alternative to more expensive 08 numbers.

There’s also information on 030 numbers –used by not for profit organisations – and 07 mobile numbers and 070 personal numbers.

The guide explains all about 08 numbers, ranging from 0800 numbers – which are free to call from a landline – to 0843, 0844 and 0845 numbers, as well as 0870 numbers.

Finally the guide will tell you how much you can expect to pay if you call the more expensive 0871/2/3 numbers and premium rate 090 numbers.

Mobile costs

The prices in the guide are based on the cost of calls from a BT landline and other providers’ prices may vary.

Calls from mobiles will almost always be higher and you should check the costs of calls with your provider

Ofcom today updated the numbering plan in the light of changes to the regulation of 0870 telephone numbers which came into effect on 1 August 2009.

These new rules encourage communications providers:

To stop charging higher prices for calls to 0870 numbers from fixed lines and mobiles than calls to “geographic rate” numbers (01, 02 or 03 numbers); and To include 0870 calls in call packages on the same basis as geographic calls.

Communications providers that want to continue charging for 0870 calls at rates above those for geographic numbers are now bound by strict rules about how prices are publicised on websites and in promotional material at point of sale.

Communications providers are responsible for making sure their customers know how much they will be charged for calling an 0870 number and they are not allowed to advertise 0870 numbers as “national rate” unless they are charging at geographic rates.

Research undertaken by PhonepayPlus shows that millions of consumers are happily using services on the 087 number range (which includes numbers beginning 0871, 2, and 3 but excludes 0870). However, it also highlights some significant concerns around price transparency and the time some consumers are having to wait on the line before being connected to a service.

On 1 August, PhonepayPlus began to regulate 087 services under its Code of Practice. Providers now have to comply with rules that ensure that the price of the call is made clear and that, if there is to be a delay, the consumer should be able to make an informed decision as to whether to stay on the line.

The research reveals a lack of understanding around charges for 087 numbers among consumers and concern over the amount of time callers are prepared to wait to be connected:

44% have experienced problems with the service they have received in the past six months; 31% of people who use 087 numbers have no idea of the cost; 40% do not know there is an additional cost for calling from a mobile. In fact, it can cost considerably more (around 4 x as much); and Around 75% of all 0871 users felt that it was not acceptable if they were left on hold for more than 5 minutes.

However, 087 numbers provide access to a wide variety of popular services.

One in three people in the UK are likely to have called an 087 number in the last six months creating a market that in 2009 is expected to be worth £85 million. Both large and small businesses receive calls via 087 numbers across a variety of sectors including ticket lines, tour and transport operators, financial services and technical helplines. Calls from mobile phones account for just 13% of the volume of calls, but 40% of the market’s overall revenue.

Commenting on the change in regulation Paul Whiteing, CEO of PhonepayPlus, said: "Services offered via 087 numbers are generally useful and convenient but the cost to call them can vary widely, especially from a mobile phone. Our experience regulating other premium rate services will ensure the necessary safeguards are in place to protect consumers, especially around price transparency.”

New rules for businesses apply from 1 August
Research released today by PhonepayPlus reveals a lack of understanding around charges for 087 numbers amongst consumers, and supports the need for introduction of new regulation to boost consumer confidence.  From 1 August, providers of 087 services (numbers beginning 0871, 2, and 3, but excluding 0870) must comply with new rules set out by PhonepayPlus.

Key findings from the research
Market overview:

One in three people in the UK are likely to have called an 0871 number in the last six months. The overall market size for 087 numbers is estimated to reach £85 million in 2009. This represents a decline over 18 months, due largely to uncertainty around regulation and general consumer resistance to numbers beginning 087. 40% of revenue comes from calls from mobile phones, although this only equates to 13% of total minutes. The 087 number range is used by both large and small businesses, across all sectors, and is particularly popular amongst everyday services such as travel, ticketing, insurance and retail. 40% of businesses choose 087 numbers for the revenue share opportunity, and 8% to deter phone sales and drive customers to their website. The total volume of calls businesses receive via 087 numbers is estimated to be 731 million minutes in 2009.

Consumer feedback:

44% of 0871 callers have either made a complaint about or had an issue with an 0871 service in the past 6 months. Lack of understanding on price: When asked how much an 0871 call costs, one in three users said they do not know and 40% were unaware of the additional cost of calling from a mobile. Delays are a significant annoyance to callers: 70% of callers said they would complain if kept on hold for more than 10 minutes. Complaints: Customers cite problems with customer service and automated menus.

New rules for 087 services providers
On 5 February 2009 Ofcom announced the outcome of a review of the 0871 number range, which contained a package of measures to improve consumer protection and pricing transparency. Ofcom decided to make 0871 numbers subject to premium rate regulation as defined by the PhonepayPlus' Code of Practice.

On 13 November 2007, PhonepayPlus published a Statement of Application for the regulation of 0871 numbers, which explained how it proposed to apply the existing requirements of its Code of Practice to services offered on the number range:

Pricing transparency: Up-front information on the cost per minute of the call must be published prominently next to the number wherever it appears on adverts, websites or signage from the business providing the service. For an initial time period to help businesses implement the changes, it is acceptable for the charges to be clearly stated at the start of the call. Undue delay: The 087 service provider must ensure there is no unfair delay in a caller accessing the service on offer. Callers must be given an estimate as to how long they can expect to wait before accessing the service, and if appropriate, their position in the queuing system so they can make an informed decision as to whether to remain on the line.

Commenting on the research, Paul Whiteing, CEO of PhonepayPlus, said: "Consumers have made it clear that pricing for 087 services must be easier to understand. They must also be able to make an informed decision as to whether to stay on the line."

"Our experience regulating other premium rate services will ensure the necessary safeguards are in place to boost consumer confidence in 087 services. We expect this regulation to be a boon to industry and consumers alike."

To view the full research document click here

TTNC has today released and activated 2 more 0800 Freephone number ranges; 0800 8 247 and 0800 9 247. There are now 24 different Freephone number ranges live of the TTNC network making a total of 62,000 live Freephone numbers.

There has been a continued growth in the sales of Freephone numbers for the third year running, thousands of SME's and Corporate businesses currently use TTNC Freephone numbers to increase their inbound calls and maximise their advertising opportunities.

Now established as one of the leading suppliers of Freephone Numbers in the UK, TTNC is nearly 2 pence per minute cheaper than BT and other Operators and also offer real time number provisioning, online number management and detailed call statistics.

More Information

If you would like more information about TTNC's Freephone numbers or would like to purchase a Freephone number then please visit; www.ttnc.co.uk/numbers/0800.do.

Ofcom today set out new rules to provide clarity about the price of calls to 0870 numbers.

These new rules will encourage communication providers:

To stop charging higher prices for calls to 0870 numbers from fixed lines and mobiles than calls to “geographic rate” numbers (01, 02 or 03 numbers); and

To include 0870 calls in call packages on the same basis as geographic calls.

These measures may significantly reduce the cost of calling these numbers whilst increasing consumers’ awareness about the costs of calling them.

Clear advice on call costs

Under these new rules, communications providers that want to continue charging for 0870 calls at rates above those for geographic numbers will now be bound by strict rules about how prices are publicised on websites and in promotional material at point of sale.

Communications providers will be responsible for making sure their customers know how much they will be charged for calling an 0870 number and they will not be allowed to advertise 0870 numbers as "national rate" unless they are charging at geographic rates. If they do not comply with these rules, they could be subject to enforcement action including possible fines.

0870 numbers are used by many businesses and organisations to provide a wide range of information and advice including many customer service lines. Currently 0870 calls are priced at levels that enable businesses and organisations to share the revenue generated by per-minute call charges. Ofcom's new rules should effectively end revenue sharing on 0870 numbers.

Ofcom welcomes steps that some fixed line companies have already taken to include calls to 0870 numbers in call packages and reduce their prices.

The new regulations will come into effect on 1 August 2009.

TTNC is to stop offering 0870 phone numbers with immediate effect. Mark Burcher, CEO of TTNC said "Following the confusion surrounding 0870 numbers and the lack of interest in them, we have decided to stop offering 0870 phone numbers. We will continue to support the 0870 numbers that are already being used, but the long term plan is to migrate the users over to other number ranges such as 03 numbers, Freephone numbers or Geographic numbers."

Background Information about the 0870 changes

In February 2007, Ofcom performed a Strategic Review of the use of Number Translation Service (NTS), OFCOM has now confirmed some major changes, some of which will affect the use of 0870 Numbers;

There will no longer be any Revenue on 0870 numbers by end of January 2008. Mobile and Fixed-Line providers have to charge the same or less for 0870 calls as they do for National Rate Calls to UK Geographic Numbers (01 or 02).

These changes to the regulation of calls to 0870 numbers were intended to take effect on 1st of February 2008, but this date was put back because operators and Ofcom identified certain 0870 services which protected human life and property and where the option to use pre-call announcements could potentially cause a call to fail.

Ofcom is expected to make a further announcement about 0870 phone numbers later this month, TTNC will keep customers and the public informed via new letters and our Web site.