Phone Numbers 08 Numbers 0844 Phone Numbers

Phone Numbers 08 Numbers 0844 Phone Numbers

0844 Numbers Versus 0845 Local Rate Numbers (Non Geographic)

0844 Numbers

0844 Numbers are the new and realistic 0845 replacement, bearing in mind that 0845 numbers are due to be reviewed by Ofcom within the next 18months.

The range has also proven popular for 0870 number migration as there is a low rate call cost to callers – only 5ppm – and the range also allows for a revenue stream. The 0844 range is less costly to the business than using a freephone number and as the calls are charged at a fixed price, it is much less likely that Ofcom will impose any future regulatory changes to this range.

0844 numbers provide access to all the Network Level Services.

0844 is a prefix that companies use on their phone number so callers pay local rate, wherever they are calling from in the UK. 0844 is not as well known as the prefix 0845, but 0844 does the same job. Companies may choose 0844 as an alternative because the number they want has already been used by 0845. Also, they can make callers aware that 0844 is local rate by saying 'all 0844 calls at local rate' so the caller knows for sure that the call to 0844 will be cheap.

Many companies offer their customers local rate 0844 calls because it improves business, and gives them a national presence. A customer calling 0844 will have no idea where the company is based, and may presume that because they have a 0844 that they are a successful and national company. The 0844 prefix will attract their business because they want to be sure that they company will treat them in a professional manner, and the 0844 number does give them extra credibility.

Companies often get bad press if they are known to have bad customer service, and they don't have an 0844. If callers have to spend extra money just to make a complaint because there is no 0844, they may not give their return business. An 0844 number puts the relationship on a better footing in the first place, as the customer does not feel ripped off by telephone charges because of the 0844.

Whether a company has 0844 or 0845, the result is the same. The company could be in Aberdeen but with 0844 the caller could be in Cornwall and still pay local rate when calling 0844. Callers are also more likely to call an 0844, so businesses can use that 0844 opportunity to build a better customer relationship

UK Telecoms News | Phone System News | 08 Number News » 0844 Numbers

Another Fuss About The NHS
There’s usually nothing I enjoy more than listening to the radio as I drive and as a news writer, I find it interesting to listen to different radio stations and their portrayal of the news. However, this morning I was quite dismayed to hear an old issue dragged up once more – I figured it was either a slow news day or some people just couldn’t let a complaint go. The news story was referring to the 0844 phone numbers used by the NHS and of course, people were incensed to be paying any money at all for ringing the NHS.

Now, for all those radio news readers out there, 0844 is not, and I repeat NOT, a premium rate number, and describing it as such is just misleading. The 0844 prefix is a local rate number so calls cost exactly what they would should you decide to give your Aunt Flo a call.

Another problem I have with the 0844 story is describing the NHS as like an emergency service. If your illness is that bad, ring an ambulance and not the NHS, because the freephone 999 number IS for emergencies.

Now for the good stuff – having an 0844 phone number for the NHS will, as I have said before on countless occasions, protect you as well as the NHS. 0844 phone numbers allow network level services to be placed on the number. So should the NHS line be busy, telecoms companies can re-route your call to a line that’s open. Should the phone line be down, we can direct your call to a different call centre. And should you get bad advice and wish to pursue a legal avenue, call recording placed on the 0844 number will provide you with the evidence you need. A few pence per call for all that? Sounds more than fair to me.
June 8th, 2010 | 09:34:58 AM |
Doctors Expensive 0845 And 0844 Phone Numbers To Be Banned?
People are once again kicking up a fuss over phone numbers. There’s now talk of banning the 0844 and 0845 numbers that apparently a fifth of 8000 GP Practices are using. And lest we forget, the 0845 NHS Direct number too!

Well, let’s take a look at 0844 and 0845 shall we? 0844 and 0845 numbers are not, contrary to popular belief, premium rate numbers. Let me repeat that – 0844 and 0845 numbers are not premium rate! It does not cost the national debt to ring them and I seriously doubt that people would actually appreciate a local number for NHS Direct.

With 0844 and 0845 numbers, GP Practices can gain Network Level Services. This means that call recording, call statistics, call reporting and call re-routing to contact centres are all features available to GPs because they have an 0844 or 0845 number. So imagine the line’s busy when you ring your doctor – we can divert you to a contact centre or to another GP Practice. Calls can be recorded for legal reasons and training purposes. Listen to me when I say, 0844 and 0845 numbers are not the enemy! Instead, they enable your GP to offer you a better service – and let’s face it, we’d only complain if they didn’t.
September 22nd, 2009 | 01:30:43 PM |
0844 Phone Numbers
Much Ado About Nothing

BBC Chiefs have been criticised. Well, they’re always being criticised. Big deal. This time though, it’s been said that the BBC “exploits viewers” by capitalising on 0844 numbers. Puh-lease!

Firstly, 0844 numbers are like the mice of the 08 phone number world. It’s pennies in a world of pounds! Secondly, if people are stupid enough to ring in to a TV show then they deserve to be charged! Call me crazy but if you’re going to make a fuss about something, at last make sure it’s something worthwhile! And I’m not even talking war or pestilence- just maybe the crap that passes for TV nowadays.

Phone numbers happen to be big business. Deal with it.
August 27th, 2009 | 04:48:24 PM |