At present, calls to 0800 numbers from mobiles are charged to the caller. The change in legislation is good news for consumers as 0800 numbers will be free from mobiles, but it means those organisations receiving the calls will now have to pick up the bill.
What many organisations do not realise is that they can avoid these additional operating costs by switching to an 0300 number.
Mark Colquhoun, CEO of Solar Communications, comments: “The legislation change is good news for consumers but it presents an issue for those organisations operating an 0800 number, including some of the UK’s leading charities. However, the process of switching to an 0300 number is relatively simple and an ideal way for businesses and charities to keep the lines of communication open and operating costs to a minimum.”
According to Solar Communications, 16 of the country’s top 100 charities are affected by the change.