Ofcom to cap price of 118 directory enquiry calls
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The cost of calls to directory enquiry services is to be restricted via a new price cap on 118 phone numbers, the communications watchdog has announced. Ofcom said it has become “concerned about steep rises in directory enquiry prices”, and said some companies are charging almost £20 for a 90-second call to these services, while a 90-second call to the most popular service, 118 118, now costs £11.23. Ofcom’s research shows an estimated 450,000 people pay a combined total of £2.4m more than they expect to for directory enquiry calls every year – and some of those callers are struggling to pay their bills. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Jane Rumble, Ofcom’s director of consumer policy, said: “Directory enquiry prices have risen in recent years, and callers are paying much more than they expect.
History of this topic
Ofcom to probe provider for disruption in access to 999 calls
The Independent
Mobile phone providers could hike bills as Ofcom triples network licence fees for operators
Daily Mail
Calls to 0800 numbers are now free
The Independent
Mobile networks face ban on charging customers for 0800 calls within weeks
Daily MailDiscover Related