Special rate services
Overview
Special rate services (also known as non-geographic numbers) allow you to offer your customers free, local or national call rates when they call you. In simple terms, special rate services are telephone numbers assigned for incoming calls that are not associated with a specific geographic region. Examples of these are freephone (0800), local rate (0845), national rate (0870) and premium rate (090X).
In this basic format, special rate services can have an immediate impact on your business, enabling you to compete more effectively through widening the geographic reach of your organisation.
Additionally, special rate services are also extremely important in providing access to our intelligent networking solutions.
Intelligent networking solutions enable organisations to manipulate incoming calls according to their own bespoke routing plan. For example, calls could be sent to more than one geographic location, a recorded marketing announcement or a voicemail system. Call routing plans are incredibly flexible, instantly measuring against dozens of different criteria prior to delivering the call.
Read more about our selection of intelligent networking solutions.
How it works?
Obtaining a special rate service is extremely straightforward. You simply decide which service is most suitable for your business and we will provide you with a selection of different choices from our number range. We have an extensive selection of memorable numbers as well as being able to source particular alphanumeric combinations that might be appropriate for your business (e.g. 0800-0 EVOCAL = 0800-0 386225).
Prior to selecting your number we recommend that you conduct some basic research into the type of numbers being used by your competitors. For example, if your competitors are using 0800 freephone numbers, then we recommend that you also use 0800 numbers.
More information about our intelligent network solutions is also available.
How your business can benefit?
- Assists your organisation increase sales
- Increases uptake of advertising campaigns
- Enables you to control customer responses
- Allows staff or customers to contact the office free of charge
- Allows a company to publish one main number and route calls to local offices depending on the origin of the call
- Provides local companies with a 'national-type' appearance
- Creates customer loyalty and improves customer retention
- Helps maintain and improve service levels to increase customer acquisition
- Provides support to customer service initiatives and call centre applications
- Makes it easier for your customers to maintain contact with you
Investment requirement
The six special rate service options are:
| Number range | Call type | Set-up fee* | Monthly rental | Call cost to caller | Call cost to business | Rebate for business |
| 0800 | Freephone | Free | Zero | Free | 3ppm | Zero |
| 0845 | Local rate | Free | Zero | 3.36ppm | 1ppm | Zero |
| 0870 | National rate | Free | Zero | 6.73ppm | Zero | 1.5-2.5ppm |
| 0871 | National rate plus | Free | Zero | 10ppm | Zero | 2-4ppm |
| 070 | Personal numbers | Free | Zero | 15ppm - 35ppm | Zero | Zero |
| 090 | Premium rate | Free | Zero | 10ppm - 150ppm | Zero | 2ppm - 110ppm |
If you already have a special rate number then you can still benefit by porting (transferring) the number to Evocal, allowing you to gain the advantages of our competitive charges and rebate structures.
Summary
Special rate services have the potential to increase your organisations success, improving the ease with which customers can contact you whilst also helping to enhance your credibility. In addition, special rate services also power intelligent networking solutions [hotlink intelligent networking solutions text] that can have a profound effect on your communications strategy.
To discuss your particular requirements, or for further information on evocal's products and services, please feel welcome to call us on 0870 777 5777 or email enquiries@evocal.co.uk.
