Ofcom is also looking to simplify call charges for 08, 09, and 118 numbers. 08 numbers typically includes the common 0845 prefix, used for customer support lines and government agencies. Ofcom say that charges won’t exceed 7p per minute for 084 numbers, and 13p per minute for 087 numbers.

The telecoms regulator hopes to clear up confusion surrounding the 03 prefix as well. Consumers seem to believe right now that the number is associated with extra charges, when in fact it is treated and costs the same as a geographic landline number.

If the new plans gain approval, companies using 08 numbers will be asked to use the phrasing “This call will cost you X pence per minute plus your phone company’s access charge” to avoid confusion. Ofcom expect to hear on the final decision of the new plans by early 2013, with an 18-month transitional period since the change will affect a large number of businesses and companies in the UK.

[via The Next Web]

That April 17 date has now been pushed back to May 8 to give competitors such as Vodafone and O2 three more weeks to have their voices heard. Vodafone has already argued that approval of Everything Everywhere would give “a significant head start before any of its competitors have a clear path to 4G.” The reason competitors are upset at the lead approval of the LTE network would give T-Mobile and Orange has to do with when more bandwidth will be auctioned off.

Orange and T-Mobile plan to use 1800 MHz spectrum that is currently used for 2G communications for the LTE network and that could be approved within a few months. Vodafone and other competitors on the other hand would have to wait until the UK government auctioned off additional 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum, which is not likely to happen until late next year. I’m not sure what to think of this, on the surface, I can see the point of Vodafone. However, if Orange and T-Mobile already own spectrum that is suitable for LTE networks they should be able to use it I think. What do you think?

[via The Verge]