A change is gonna come - Ofcom set to make changes to 08 numbers

2015 will see many changes in the technology, and telecommunications industry; many of which we’re yet to know about.  But, there is some good news for anyone who’s tired of hearing ‘Calls from other operators and mobile provides may vary and will be charged at their normal rate’ when calling an 0800 number from a mobile phone. 

Demise of landlines 

As of June 2015, Ofcom (the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries), will be bringing in a free of charge service for anyone calling an 0800, 0808 and 116 number from their mobile. With landline usage in decline, it is a sensible move forward.  With such a huge revolution in mobile phones, the trusty landline is in serious decline.  More people communicate via text message, email and mobile phone calls than with a landline. And, Ofcom themselves has reported that the number of mobile-only homes has gone from 10% in 2006 to over 15% in 2012. 

With many businesses and services offering an 0800 or 0808 number it will no doubt mean an increase in calls from mobile phones to such services. 

Time to change

Another change that will take affect as of next year is that anyone dialing an 084, 087, 09 or 118 number will be made clear of the exact costs of placing such a call.  This will help the called to determine whether they wish to continue.  For mobile phone users it's essential to know the exact cost of calls that are outside of your plan, as hefty bills can be problematic.

If you currently run a business that could be affected by such changes then don’t worry, Ofcom will be in touch to let you know more. You have plenty of time to find out what to do next and there will be a variety of options available to you. 

Overall, there is a demand for businesses to make life easier and less costly for mobile phone users, particularly as the number of landlines installed continues to fall. 

If you’re concerned about any of the changes then do contact Ofcom to find out more.  Also, if you’re worried about your current mobile phone tariff and want to reduce your costs further then speak to us at Fivebars Mobile to find out how we can help. 

How integrated is your business? Five reasons why businesses are turning to Lumia

Microsoft Lumia (originally called the Nokia Lumia Series) have phased out Nokia and is now fully ‘Microsoft Window’ operated. But what does this mean? And more importantly, what does this mean for your business? 

Well, as Fivebars Mobile has discovered, there are plenty of reasons why businesses are turning to Lumia,  and these are mainly to do with managing and running your business more efficiently from your handset. 

Reason 1 - email management 

One of the main appeals of Lumia is that the Windows phone has both Microsoft Mobile Office and Outlook actually built in, as standard.  That means that managing your emails, word documents, spreadsheets and the like is really simple, with everything quite literally at your fingertips. 

Reason 2 - integration 

You can integrate your current Windows ecosystem with your mobile device.  The fab guys at in the Windows team offer support to identify your business needs and provide a plan and training. This can be done either remotely, or on-site. 

Reason 3 - security 

There is always a worry where security is concerned, especially with all the login details and passwords we have to have. So knowing that your systems and technology is bullet proof accounts for more than just peace of mind.  Clever in-built security means that you don’t have to worry; Windows has taken care of it for you.

Reason 4 - Personalisation 

Everyone wants to be able to personalise their smartphone to suit their business needs. Apps at the ready, a synced-up calendar. Personalise your start screen with all the tools that you need, each and every day. 

Reason 5 - MDM 

Mobile Device Management (MDM) enables you to access resources from anywhere. And, it monitors activity to ensure that corporate resources don’t fall into the wrong hands. 

Doing your job, managing your time, and being more efficient are essentials to anyone who works. Having the right smartphone can certainly make all the difference. Technology is fast evolving and Lumia is definitely ideal for the business market. 

To find out more about price plans or for further advice simply speak to us at Fivebars Mobile. 

The weather outside is frightful ...

And 90,000 children will be homeless this Christmas (figures from Shelter.org.uk). A hard hitting fact, right?  So, whilst you’re planning on decking the halls with holly, preparing your Christmas dinner, and shopping for your family, it’s worth sparing a thought, or some food, or blankets for those who won’t have a home this Christmas. 

A cause close to our hearts, saw our very own financial controller, Nicola Shakespeare, take to the streets the other night.  Deciding that she wanted to learn not to take things for granted, she volunteered to sleep out for a night for The Society of St James, a homeless charity in Southampton. As Nicola points out, we take a lot for granted, especially at this time of year.  

Nicola described her experience as extremely tough.  Fivebars Mobile were on hand to provide entertainment until 11pm, but then it was time to bunk down and get some sleep. The reality, as Nicola explained was that ‘We were fortunate enough to have been under a marquee, homeless people do not.  We also had nice, new, thick sleeping bags, again, the homeless don’t.” 

But the hardest part of the whole experience was what came the next day.  Despite the rain and the flooded floors, the lack of sleep and inability to keep dry or warm, it was surviving the next day.  Nicola talked of her lack of energy, and how tired she was. 

Overall the experience really opened Nicola’s eyes to the extremes that the homeless have to face.  “We did it for one night and struggled.  The next time I see a homeless person, it will make me think more as to how they got there. Spare change or a warm coffee might just help that person to get through their day and to focus on the night ahead.” 

But the great news is, that this year's One Big Sleepout raised over £10,000 - so, well done to all those who supported, donated, and who slept out, including Nicola. 

Housing Day 

Yesterday the hashtag #HousingDay was trending on Twitter, bringing awareness to the housing issues in the UK and those who have lost their homes altogether.  With increased rentals and a shortage of social housing, it’s estimated that one family loses their home every 11 minutes. 

So, the next time you walk past someone who’s homeless, think before judging.  Ask yourself what led them to that place, and why they no longer have a home.  A cup of tea, a blanket or even some food could change their day; you could change their day. 

If you want to find out more about The Society of St James then head on over to their website.  You’ll also find plenty of ways you can help and support this charity. 

Top secret: helpful iPhone secrets and shortcuts

Top secret: helpful iPhone secrets and shortcuts 

Your iPhone that sits in your pocket or your handbag is a clever device.  No longer do we need to carry our laptops, cameras, iPods and other gadgets to work with us, it all sits neatly in one pocket sized phone.  But, you may not realise the full potential of your iPhone.  So, here are a few little secrets and shortcuts from us, here at Fivebars Mobile, to help you unleash its power. 

Keyboard trickery 

Tired of tapping the caps lock key whenever you want to type?  Did you know that if you tap it twice you can type in capitals to your heart's content? So, if you really need to type an angry text or email you can do so with ease. 

Simple shortcut 

If you head to settings/general/keyboard you can create your own shortcuts.  If you have particular phrases that you use all the time but are fed up with having to auto correct it or shorten in then tell your phone and it will continue to do it for you.  So, rather than typing see you soon or be right back you can tell your phone to ‘sys’ or ‘brb’.

Get more from your camera 

The + volume button will take a picture for you, did you know that? Turn your camera to landscape and hit the + volume button and ‘snap’, your photo has been shot. You can also enhance your photos by using your iPhones own enhancement tools.  Get rid of red eye, crop an image or rotate a picture.  Now, say ‘cheese’.

Oh, and you can screen shot your phone too.  How? By clicking the lock button and the home button at the same time. Sounds simple but it’s such a handy little tool. 

Take a selfie with your headphones 

Daft as it may seem, and yes, the world has gone selfie mad, but you can take a selfie using your headphones.  Plug in your headphones, open the camera app and click the volume up button on your phone.  Snap! And your selfie is taken. Less shake and far more natural. 

Shake it, shake, shake, shake it 

Did you know that if you’ve written something and then accidentally deleted it all you need to do is to shake your phone. Shake it once to bring up the undo typing and twice to redo. Clever, huh? 

Your iPhone is a powerful little device, look after it well, and make sure you’re getting the most from it.  Speak to us at Fivebars Mobile for more information and how we can review your tariff for free.