Ofcom issues new numbers

BEFORE the end of the year, companies will be offered 03 numbers.  Designed as an alternative to chargeable 08 numbers, such as 0870, no revenue sharing will be allowed – they will cost the same as 01 and 02 numbers.
Ofcom’s chief executive, Ed Richards, said:  "Consumers will be able to dial 03 numbers with confidence about the cost of their call.  We expect public services and many others to view 03 numbers as a real alternative to higher cost 08 numbers."
Ofcom has started allocating 03 numbers to communication providers and expects the first to appear by the end of the year.
Numbers starting 030 will be only by public bodies and not-for-profit services.  Some 03 numbers are reserved so those with 08 can simply change 8 to 3.  And Ofcom said it would distribute fairly memorable numbers, such as those starting 0300 and 0333.
In a separate move, Ofcom will stop issuing 070 “personal numbers” – often confused with mobile numbers – “to prevent scams”.  And a pre-call announcement must be made if the cost is more than 20p (per minute or per call).