It was reported in the Dutch media this week that the Dutch communications watchdog, Opta, is looking into the charges made my mobile phone companies to call an 0800 number from a mobile.
Apparently they have come to the conclusion that there is no cheaper alternative, but whether this study will start a snowball effect in other countries on what mobile companies charge businesses on what should be “freephone numbers” remains to be seen. 0800 numbers are great for the consumer if you’re calling from a landline, but as more and more calls are made from mobiles, it is becoming increasingly hard to refer to 0800 numbers as freephone numbers without some sort of clarification in there for mobiles. We will wait and watch with interest.
Friday, 26 August 2011
Friday, 19 August 2011
Added features for 0845 and 0800 numbers
Following last week's post about lo-call UK 0845 numbers, I've been sent emails asking what added features you can get for these non-geographic numbers. The answer is exactly the same as the ones available for freephone 0800 numbers.
So, generally these include:
So, generally these include:
- Fax to Email
- Call Whisper
- Greeting Message
- Voicemail
- Call Recording
- Press 1 for Customer Service
- Call queuing
Friday, 12 August 2011
If you can't afford a freephone 0800 number, choose 0845 instead
Here at 0800 Numbers - A Buyers Guide - we believe passionately in the power of the 0800 number. It is hard to over state how much business just having a freephone number can give you, as individuals and companies will almost always choose to phone a freephone 0800 number over a call they have to pay for any day.
However, we understand that in the current economic circumstances, with businesses suffering, paying to receive calls isn't necessarily the top priority, and that small businesses - especially new start up businesses - find it hard to have to pay for the calls they receive, even if that does mean a huge growth in business - when there isn't much liquidity in the system.
So, we recommend initially getting an 0845 telephone number instead. It is still a non-geographic or "national" phone number, and is a "lo-call" number, so the people calling from a landline pay a local rate to make the call, which is low (hence the name!) You, the recipient, don't pay anything to receive the call.
This is the best option until you feel you are in a position to afford an 0800 number, but we still highly recommend getting a freephone number as soon as you can.
However, we understand that in the current economic circumstances, with businesses suffering, paying to receive calls isn't necessarily the top priority, and that small businesses - especially new start up businesses - find it hard to have to pay for the calls they receive, even if that does mean a huge growth in business - when there isn't much liquidity in the system.
So, we recommend initially getting an 0845 telephone number instead. It is still a non-geographic or "national" phone number, and is a "lo-call" number, so the people calling from a landline pay a local rate to make the call, which is low (hence the name!) You, the recipient, don't pay anything to receive the call.
This is the best option until you feel you are in a position to afford an 0800 number, but we still highly recommend getting a freephone number as soon as you can.
Friday, 5 August 2011
Plusnet come round to the benefits of freephone numbers
We were delighted to see this week that Plusnet - who provide "good honest broadband from Yorkshire" have decided to use freephone numbers for their customer service. Welcome to the 0800 number club!
Friday, 29 July 2011
Which type of number to use for companies wanting to gain from the London olympics?
There has been much discussion in blogs and forums and in the telecoms circle of people that I move in as to which type of phone number is best for companies wanting to capitalise on business from the 2012 London Olympics.
Well, my answer, as always, is 0800 numbers - freephone numbers. All other factors aside, 0800 numbers always do better because they are free to call. Simple as that.
Well, my answer, as always, is 0800 numbers - freephone numbers. All other factors aside, 0800 numbers always do better because they are free to call. Simple as that.
Friday, 22 July 2011
Extra Features for 0800 numbers
We've noticed that The 0800 Number Company has got some new videos on their site. Of particular interest were the videos on the page about extra features for 0800 numbers, explaining the benefits of the extra features.
Those mentioned are Call Whisper, Voicemail, Greeting Message, Time of Day Routing, DOBNA, IVR, Call Recording, Call Queuing and Online Call Statistics.
Which is the best, and are there any other good extra features for freephone numbers out there?
Those mentioned are Call Whisper, Voicemail, Greeting Message, Time of Day Routing, DOBNA, IVR, Call Recording, Call Queuing and Online Call Statistics.
Which is the best, and are there any other good extra features for freephone numbers out there?
Friday, 1 July 2011
0800 Number Company clever tip
The freephone number provider, The 0800 Number Company, has a nice article on its website giving a handy tip. It suggests getting a freephone for your kids to use, so that if they are out and their mobile runs out of battery and they don't have any money or cards to use a payphone, then they can call the 0800 number for free and speak to home. Great idea - we'd love to hear any more clever tips like this to share!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)