The recent Ofcom 0870 Announcement and how it will affect your 0870 fax number.

Should you subscribe to an 0870 number we suggest that you read this email completely, as it details the Ofcom changes with non-geo 0870 numbers.

On 1 August 2009 based on the Ofcom rules set here: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/features/0870rules the cost for calling an 0870 number will be significantly reduced to that of the same price as a national rate fax number. Put simply, this means that there will no longer be any rev-share mechanism to fund the forwarding of any calls to 0870 fax numbers to any forwarded number. Your current provider will be charged for receiving any calls on this 0870 fax number and will no doubt pass these charges onto you – the end user, but above all and how we see things the valued customer.

The 0870 Filefax fax number alternative is as follows….

Based on the Ofcom ruling and should you wish to avoid the additional forwarding costs associated with an 0870 fax number it is now the ideal time to choose a Filefax 0844 fax number. Or if you are scared of 08 fax numbers you could simply choose the more commonly used Geographic 01XX fax number as we have literally hundreds of STD area codes available.

Filefax understands that these changes are problematic and can appreciate that this will cause additional expenditure when businesses sole aim is to make money rather than to have to spend more of it. But stress these changes are industry wide and are actioned at the instruction of Ofcom. The newly enforced Ofcom rules make it extremely expensive for businesses to use an 0870 fax number. Which is why Filefax offers 0844 fax numbers and a varied range of 01and 02 STD codes, and will enable you to avoid any additional set-up fees, as Filefax charges NO set-up fees for any fax number purchased. Please goto: www.filefax.co.uk/shop and select your preferred 01, 02 or 0844 fax number from the drop-dowm menu.

Filefax 0844 numbers are different to the 087 fax numbers as these number types allow you to call forward to any UK landline and other european destinations completely free of charge which is yet another benefit for using an 0844 fax number.

Prior to the Ofcom ruling 0870 fax numbers were more expensive to call when compared to other 01 or 02 numbers. The new changes however mean that the fax numbers are now cheaper to call, the same as you would normally pay to call a 01 or 02 national-rate fax number. Good news for the caller, but not so good news for the companies who operate 0870 fax numbers and generate revenue from doing so.

The change also complicates things for numerous telecoms operators as previously 0870 fax numbers and the associated call forwarding was free of charge based on the revenue share. But now many operators have a pricing model whereby each number is charged a monthly/yearly rental and charge a per-minute fee to call forward all received calls. Which is not easily costed for a company using an 0870 number as their fax number – as they are unable to foresee how many calls they will receive.

I hope the above is clear and straight forward and if our Sales Team can assist you in providing you with an alternative fax number then please call us: 0208 123 9575 or email: sales@filefax.co.uk and we will assist you further. Or simply visit our website: www.filefax.co.uk/shop

Should you have any questions or require assistance please do not hesitate to make contact with us.