You may retain your 0870 number and continue to receive calls. However, from the date that Ofcom will shortly announce, unless a higher call charge is applied, you will not receive call payments.

In addition, organisations with 0870 numbers will have to contribute to the cost of routing calls. This charge will be 3.5 pence per minute (excluding VAT) for calls to a single geographic destination number or 4.5 pence per minute (excluding VAT) for calls routed to different destinations.

For many callers, the cost of dialling an 0870 number will reduce significantly. However, the 'high cost' stigma of an 0870 number may persist, with the associated poor customer perceptions.