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The solution to confusing call charges


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Old 03-09-2015, 19:27
tdenson
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,209

Despite the supposed clarification of call charges by Ofcom recently, very few people I know would be aware that to call an 0845 number from their mobile is likely to cost 54p per minute ("local call charge" - what a joke).
what I would propose is that networks by law have to display the cost of a call while it is in progress. If they don't have the technology to do so, then I would imagine some hefty fines would soon focus their minds to tweak a bit of software here and there.
And yes, I know the call charge is made up of different components, but at the end of the day it's the one company that give you the total bill.
Ideally it would be a real time cost-so-far, although an initial message saying the cost per minute would be a good start. I've just had a smart meter installed for my energy suppliers and it sure focuses the mind on what you've got switched on when you see the big display on the kitchen side showing the pounds and pence used so far today.
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Old 04-09-2015, 10:19
rightonpard
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: North Wales & Cornwall
Posts: 144
This could be easily implemented by networks if they wanted to offer a pre-connection cost announcement.

This would tell you exactly how much a call would cost from that specific network before being connected.

It would have to be an opt-in service for many reasons, but not least because not all customers would want a cost announcement and it could interfere with certain M2M applications etc, as happened when Ofcom mandated that calls to 070 numbers had to carry a cost announcement - which was quickly reversed.

It could work something along these lines:

To enable a pre-connection cost announcement on ALL CALLS (even where the number dialled is included within your plan) dial *130#

To enable a pre-connection cost announcement on calls that are not included within your plan dial *131#

To cancel pre-connection cost announcements dial #130# or #131# respectively.

Example Messages: "The number you are calling is included within any inclusive allowances you may have remaining" / "The number you are calling is not included within your plan and is charged at 50 pence per minute". - Immediately followed by call connection if user does not disconnect the call.
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