Background 

Call barring refers to the ability to programme a Public Switched Network access line so that outbound calls to certain related groups of numbers such as special charge rate, international or mobile services cannot be made. It is an important consumer safeguard, and offers telephone users a significant degree of control over their telephone.

However, it was felt that awareness of call barring facilities was not high enough amongst consumers and that it is important that customers have adequate, reliable information to assist them to make better-informed decisions, and to get the best deal from their telecoms service.

 As a consequence, Oftel is working with industry, including consumers, service providers, originating and terminating operators, in order to encourage improvements in the effectiveness of barring access to premium rate services (PRS) primarily through increasing consumer awareness of their value and availability.

There have been several workshops which have come to some conclusions and have suggested what the next steps should be.

 For further information contact Gavin Daykin on 020 7634 5338 or email