Today in the news there was a item about a large numbers of GP's who have switched to a 084x number for their surgery. The main reason for them doing this was to offer a "enhanced" service to their callers via use of IVR and call queues. Traditionally GP's would have just a single landline into the surgery which would result in a daily "redial battle" for patients seeking an appointment. However a controversy has arisen over the charges to call 084x numbers especially for low income groups who may not have a landline and rely on a pre-pay mobile. The UK government is now consulting on how to sort this out.
It made me smile that one of the reasons why 084x numbers are used is to help pay for the call handling system. Especially when the hosted VoIP service I run offers all the functionality they need for a small fixed monthly fee on a 01/02/03 number.
Tuesday 16 December 2008
Thursday 13 November 2008
PPI
PPI (Payment Protection Insurance).
On the radio this morning there was a item about PPI. In particular that the Competition Commission wants the selling of it to be regulated. There was a particularly interesting interview with a spokesman for a insurance industry body who claims that having a 24 hour period in which the PPI could not be sold was a travesty for the customer. However there is plently of evidence that high powered sales techniques are used to pressure loan applicants into taking PPI. There are sometimes suggestions that you might not get the loan or the required interest rate if you decline the offer of PPI.
Having worked in the banking industry and at times involved in the selling PPI I know how profitable it is. In these troubled economic times I expect the industry to fight its corner vigorously.
The fact of the matter is that you don't have to take PPI and if anyone suggests that you have to take it in order to get the loan they are mis-selling to you. There are other independant companies that can offer you comparable cover at cheaper prices. Shop around, take advice.
On the radio this morning there was a item about PPI. In particular that the Competition Commission wants the selling of it to be regulated. There was a particularly interesting interview with a spokesman for a insurance industry body who claims that having a 24 hour period in which the PPI could not be sold was a travesty for the customer. However there is plently of evidence that high powered sales techniques are used to pressure loan applicants into taking PPI. There are sometimes suggestions that you might not get the loan or the required interest rate if you decline the offer of PPI.
Having worked in the banking industry and at times involved in the selling PPI I know how profitable it is. In these troubled economic times I expect the industry to fight its corner vigorously.
The fact of the matter is that you don't have to take PPI and if anyone suggests that you have to take it in order to get the loan they are mis-selling to you. There are other independant companies that can offer you comparable cover at cheaper prices. Shop around, take advice.
Monday 10 November 2008
Entanet Opinion
Sony Ericsson W880i
Earlier this year I decided to no longer have a contract mobile phone for personal use. The main reason for this is that although I work in telecoms I don't actually make that many personal calls. I liked the look of the Tesco Mobile offering and bought a LG KC550 phone from one of their stores. Pretty quickly I became a bit disillunsioned with this phone mainly due to its poor battery life.
So last week I went back to the store and purchased a Sony Ericsson W880i. I love this phone. Although it is not the most fully featured of available phones the size of it is amazing and fits into pockets easily and discreetly. Best of all the phone has 3G and a app that allows me to blog here right from the phone.
So last week I went back to the store and purchased a Sony Ericsson W880i. I love this phone. Although it is not the most fully featured of available phones the size of it is amazing and fits into pockets easily and discreetly. Best of all the phone has 3G and a app that allows me to blog here right from the phone.
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