Rocom launches new managed service offering for Panasonic systems
8 December, 2008
Rocom launched a new managed service offering for Panasonic systems at a workshop that showcased the distributor's new Virtual Access Router (combined with network options available from Rocom's Network Services division).
Rocom claims that the Virtual Access Router is a 'key differentiator' in its Panasonic support proposition and has recently been certified by Panasonic as fully compatible with its VoIP systems.
Withdrawal of 1471 Extra
Please be aware that the 1471 Extra product is due to be withdrawn from the Openreach Product Portfolio in November 2008.
This means that the 1471 Extra product will be removed from all of the remaining lines with this product on or before this date.
- The service
1471 Extra provides an announcement giving the time and date of up to the last five calls and the ability to return the call by dialling 3. The subsequent call is charged at normal dialled rates. Customers can withhold their number on a per call basis by prefixing that number with 141. The permanent number withhold facility will withhold the number for all calls. - The alternatives
1471 Extra is not being replaced with a like-for-like service. 1471 Extra users wishing to keep a similar service, should opt to take Caller Display which allows the end-user to see the phone number of the caller when the phone rings. It also logs calls made to the phone, with details of the time, date and caller's phone number, but will require the end-user to have compatible telephony equipment to support this feature. Users can also use 1571/Call Minder as alternative services.
Update on 0871 services
Ofcom stated that it had two particular objectives in extending premium rate services regulation to the 0871 number range:
- to increase the level of consumer protection provided for calls to these numbers,
- to improve pricing transparency for 0871 calls
Regulators intend to give three months notice of the change of procedure however it is likely that the change to regulation will take place in Spring 2008.
What the changes mean to our customers:
- Customers must publish the cost of the call to their users. (this is the same as 090 numbers). Unless the cost of the call is less than 50pence.
- Customers must not keep their callers in a holding loop for an extended period of time without informing their customer on the cost of the call.
- Customers who are currently using an 0871 number for customer services or advice - any current live service is exempt from seeking prior permission from PayphonePlus(ICSTIS). Unless they are charging more than £1 per minute
- If customers are calling in to make a complaint then they must be informed of the cost of the call and where possible either given an alternative Geographic or 03 number or be refunded for the cost of the call.
Ofcom have issued the following statement:
1 October 2008
Ofcom's work on this consultation needs to take place alongside an ongoing dispute on wholesale termination rates, the rates that operators charge each other to end 0870 calls on each others' networks. Work on this had been suspended pending the recent judgement of the Competition Appeals Tribunal on mobile termination rate disputes which was published recently, and as a result this work has now restarted.
Ofcom continues to assess the proposals in its May 2008 consultation and the responses to that document in light of these developments. Ofcom aims to publish a further statement on implementing any changes to 0870 policy by the end of the year.
May 2008:
Ofcom issued a second consultation document relating to the charging structure for 0870 numbers. Having taking into consideration responses to the previous consultation, Ofcom have proposed two options : firstly that service providers can continue to charge above the standard national call charge for an 0870 call but must ensure that callers are notified of the call cost. This option would be monitored over a 12 month period and if found to be open to abuse 0870 numbers would revert to option 2. Option 2 is that all 0870 numbers must be charged at the standard national rate at all times.
Responses to this consultation needed to be submitted by 16 June, with a declaration initially expected from Ofcom late summer. Implementation of any decision would take place 3 months after the end of the next monthly billing cycle