Mobile consumers avoid 13/1300 number calls : shows reports

Recently, Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has released a research which found that in the past year, almost 32 per cent of mobile users in Australia have wanted to make a 13/1300 call from their mobile but not done so because of concern about call costs.

Deputy CEO of the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), Mr. Narelle Clark said that ACCAN remains concerned about the affordability of calling a 13/1300 number from a mobile.

He said that “We are yet to be convinced that the industry proposal to charge 13 numbers for the ‘included value’ of a mobile plan will turn around this alarming figure on 13 call affordability".

As we know that these 13 numbers are commonly used by organizations such as mental health services, government, banks and insurance companies it is important that they remain affordable to call.

Mr. Clark said that, “ACCAN will be carefully monitoring the consumer impact of the industry guideline and we will be making sure the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) keeps to its promise that vulnerable consumers will benefit from this scheme.”

Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), has been calling for more affordable calls to 13 numbers for the last four years.

It can also be shown in the report that a number of services targeted at vulnerable consumers had adopted 1300 numbers as an affordable call option because traditionally industry had charged them at a low fixed rate. The affordability problem has arisen since the 13/1300 number scheme has been charged as a timed rate on mobile networks. 

13 Numbers for Grass Rooting

The 13 numbers are, denoted as Local Rate Numbers,  Smart Numbers or inbound numbers. After the introduction of the new numbering plan, 13 numbers came into existence. They are also known as priority 13 numbers. The access areas of these numbers cover large distances (the whole of Australia) and the calls are routed, to the appropriate place in a given area. The call charges are too low. Around 25 cents, from a landline, all over the nation. As the calls count local charge (though you are calling from anywhere) around the nation, to any destination, so these numbers are called Local Rate numbers.

The call routing service of 13 numbers, allows the person to contact, the nearest office of a company (at a local charge cost to the caller) like: Company named FLY has an office in Perth (136666), if a customer residing in Melbourne calls to 13 number (136666) of the company, the call will be routed to the nearest, that is Melbourne number, similarly, calls made in Queensland to the Queensland number. And, further other calls made anywhere else in Australia, can be  routed to their local or to the Darwin number.

The 13 numbers are the attraction point for customers. The smaller the number, the greater is the attraction. They are easy remembering for customers. The business provider is also in partial profit, as the call charge is divided section-wise, between the caller and the company, unlike 1800 numbers (where the company pays the whole amount of the call). 

These numbers are favorable for business expansion and grass root level customer generation. The customer is served at  the local level. Various telecommunication services provide 13 numbers subscription like vTelecom with smart features in favor of business expansion with grass routing.