If You get Miss calls
from numbers starting with +23 XXXX XXXX......(if it is not in your contact
list) Then, Don't think like that , it is a call from your friend from foreign
country.....And NEVER TRY TO CALL BACK......If you call back ...you will Loose Rs.
70 to Rs. 380 INR for a minute. +23xxxxxxx would be relatively expensive even
though the actual numbers being used are not premium rate numbers in that
country. As these numbers are international numbers , they are not allocated by
ComReg and the assignee(s) are not regulated by ComReg. If the customer chooses
to call a number, having received a missed call from it, the associated charge
will be imposed depending on their operator and their individual package. Calls
charges will vary by operator. Typical charges for such calls would be in the
region of €4.00 (Rs. 382 INR) per
minute. The mobile operator charges the customer for the call and then pays
another operator for delivering the call. At a high level you could consider
that an operator handles the call in Ireland then connects it to an
international operator. This international operator would then connect the call
to the operator in the country concerned. In the case of this type of call
there would be several operators in the chain before the call reaches the
destination with more than one international operator likely to be involved.
What is ComReg doing?
Under Section 23 (2) of
the Universal Service Regulations ComReg may require undertakings providing
public communications networks or publicly available electronic communications
services to block, on a case by case basis, access to numbers or services where
this is justified by reason of fraud or misuse and to require undertakings to
withhold relevant interconnection or other service revenue.
In this specific case, ComReg has requested mobile operators to
block, for a period of 4 months, certain numbers brought to ComReg’s attention
in the +23 9 range. This means that Irish mobile consumers will not be
able to return calls to the blocked numbers and therefore will not incur
charges associated with the call made, if the number is blocked. In addition,
we have written to the Regulator in São Tomé and Principe to request
their assistance in stopping this type of call. What should consumers do?
ComReg advises consumers not to return missed calls to phone numbers that begin
with these numbers, or to answer calls from such numbers, particularly if they
do not recognise the number calling or they are not expecting a call, as
they may incur significant charges. Customers should contact their
operator, in the first instance, in respect of issues with such calls. In
accordance with ComReg’s procedure for complaint handling, consumers should
contact ComReg in respect of complaints to their operator which have not been
responded to or resolved within 10 working days.
