Ofcom has overhauled telephone calls in the UK in what it has called "the biggest change to telephone calls in years."
From 1 July, Freephone numbers beginning 0800 or 0808 will be free to call from all phones, whether landline or mobile.
Ofcom will also now divide calls to service numbers into an ‘access charge’ charged by the phone company and a ‘service charge’ charged by the service number, to make it clearer what consumers are paying for. Currently callers to these numbers are not told exact figures.
Phone companies will be responsible for setting the ‘access charge’ and making it clear to consumers on their bill.
Ofcom research has shown that callers in the UK spend a total of 250m hours and £900m per year calling service numbers.
Sharon White, Ofcom Chief Executive, said: "UK Calling is the biggest change to telephone calls in over a decade.
"Together we spend around £900 million a year calling service numbers, so it’s important that people understand the cost before they pick up the phone.
"Callers will be able to see what they’re paying and where their money is going. You can visit ukcalling.info for more information on the changes, and what they mean for you."
