Customer Service in Europe. Premium Rate Discussions.

Feb. 1, 2012 - PRLog -- Toll free 0800 customer service numbers are widely accepted and used in the United States. In Europe, on the contrary, Premium Rate Numbers still dominate customer service contact. Lately, however, discussion about these 0900 Premium Rate Services have resurfaced throughout Europe. Consumers complain about high calling rates and long call queues and politicians are discussing new regulations concerning these priced service numbers. Things are changing. How can your international America company respond to these changes? TeleForwarding explains.

Recently, public and political discussions in Europe have showed a growing concern for the consumer and his or her right for free communication. These discussions have been brought on by increasing complaints made by consumers about the accessibility of costumer services and the costs of Premium Rate Numbers. Therefore, last year, the European commission issued new directives regarding consumer rights. These directives have to be established in all EU member states come 2013 and contain an important article concerning ‘Communication by Telephone’. According to new regulations telephone communication may take place only at a basic rate without extra fees. Governments throughout Europe are beginning to add their own measures to these regulations. In the Netherlands, a fixed rate for Premium Rate Numbers is currently under discussion; in Germany call queues have to be free of charge later this year. Last year, Belgium decided that Premium Rate phone calls cannot last longer than 10 minutes and in Spain they have gone even further by forbidding the use of Premium Rate contact numbers in general.

Apart from these discussions concerning the rates of 0900 Service Numbers, EU commissioner Neelie Kroes started another discussion in 2010, calling for an EU wide telephone number: a single phone number for businesses that should be accessible throughout Europe. According to Mrs Kroes, this would simplify and support trade within Europe as it supports the unity on the European market (see also: http://www.teleforwarding.us/news). TeleForwarding, a company specialized in optimizing telephone accessibility, supported this idea as a possible European solution in an article written that same year. In the mean time, however, decisions concerning a single EU-wide phone number still haven’t been made. TeleForwarding recognizes, moreover, that for companies operating on a global scale, the worldwide reach of UIFN or ITFN numbers will be more appealing than a single European phone number. These Universal International Freephone Numbers (http://www.teleforwarding.us/uifn), or International Toll Free Numbers (http://www.teleforwarding.us/itfn), would ensure the use of one single phone number worldwide, not only Europeanwide, and can be installed as a 00800 number in nearly every country in the world.

Now, in 2012, most European governments still seem to lose themselves in discussions about rates and call queues while the consumer remains in the dark as to the actual changes that will take place. It seems the time is ripe for action! In this context TeleForwarding wants to confirm that following the American example seems the best way to start taking this action, that is via the use of 0800, toll free, service numbers. Indeed, American companies, already using 0800 service numbers in the US, could take the lead in spreading this awareness across Europe. For the advantages of such numbers are numerous, as Hans Lasonder, CEO at TeleForwarding underlines: “with a 00800/UIFN (http://www.teleforwarding.com/uifn) or 0800/ITFN number (http://www.teleforwarding.com/itfn), companies can be contacted free of charge. Furthermore, these numbers can be visible for customers as one single phone number in one or several countries (International Toll Free Numbers) or even in the entire world (Universal International Freephone Numbers). This guarantees better customer contact and that in turn makes it possible to respond to questions and complaints in an effective way, thereby ensuring your client’s loyalty towards your business.”

Universal Freephone Numbers and International Toll Free Numbers, moreover, can connect American businesses with their European subsidiaries quickly and easily and enable calls to be forwarded according to time and date, thereby guaranteeing 24/7 accessibility and customer service. As an American company with European roots and knowledge of the European market, TeleForwarding can provide support by delivering and implementing these toll free 0800 numbers worldwide. Moreover, with many years of experience delivering and implementing these service numbers TeleForwarding guarantees high quality technical solutions that help optimize call menus and telephone scripts which prevents complaints about complicated menus and queues. Thereby, companies using UIFN or ITFN numbers will have an advantage over their competition still working with expensive Premium Rate Service numbers. This will make sure your services will continue to be valued and your customers will continue to be loyal. Which means: no losses, but profit!

Is your company currently facing the choice: toll free 0800 service numbers, or Premium Rate Services for their European subsidiaries? Please contact TeleForwarding Inc. USA and let us advise you.  TeleForwarding’s employees can help you discover how, with a small investment, freephone numbers can help your business lead the way in their European customer services. Generate profit with a small investment! Take a look at http://www.teleforwarding.us to find out more or contact one of our employees, toll free, under 1 855 444 3210