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Old 15-04-2006, 21:17
The Mentalist
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Originally Posted by m419
There isn't going to be any changes to Geographical numbers.

The only plans they have are:

Move 070 numbers to the 06 range. This is to prevent confusion between 070-personal numbers and 07-mobile and paging numbers.

Introduce an 03 national number which will enable companies to use a national number like 0845/0870 to be charged to the caller at the geographical rate. The owners of 03 number will not get any commision.

0871- plans to migrate this to a 090 number.

0844,0845 and 0870 numbers- Unknown at present as Ofcom are deciding whether or not to change this.

0500,0800 and 0808- No changes
According to some of the papers today, Ofcom are proposing to change the whole country to "wide area" codes so that for example Yorkshire would all be on one code, Wales would be on one code etc rather than each individual town having its own code as is the case at present. However I did read this in the Daily Mail and it was predictably cast as a "barmy Brussels bureacrats" story, so it could be a load of bollox.
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Old 15-04-2006, 21:19
kev
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Originally Posted by simax
Ironically - I dialled that number the other day to see if it was still live - it was - although it's now 020 8811 8055.... not quite as catchy is it?

No-one answered

Anyway, I agree totally... it gets on my wick when numbers are not in the correct format.

Working with mobiles, it winds me up even more when people think:

07968 123456

should be:

0796 812 3456

I make great point of writing 07968 123456 with a massive gap in the middle, and quoting their number back in correct format. Pedantic I know but it gets it off my chest

Simon
Does it matter with mobiles that always have to be dialed in full?

My number is somet like 03537 450 452 - the two 45's in the number make it logical to split it up like that -something like 0357 745 9 745 would make it logical to split it difference.
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Old 15-04-2006, 21:23
plymouthbloke1974
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Originally Posted by kev
Does it matter with mobiles that always have to be dialed in full?
Yes.

Penzance - 01736 xxxxxx
Redruth - 01209 xxxxxx
Bodmin - 01208 xxxxxx
Swindon - 01793 xxxxxx

Mobile - 07xxx xxxxxx

Follows the grain (except the 0131/0151 and 02x numbers - but thats been discussed already)
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Old 15-04-2006, 21:24
sicknote10
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Originally Posted by tvwatcher
does anyone remember the good old days when Going Live? on BBC1 number was

0181 811 8181

amazing how singing a number will never let you forget the god damn thing.

its either that or i have got it half right. Might be Half BBC Going live / living and kicking AND / OR Nickelodeon!!

its to early to try and be 100% sure.

cos i think nickelodeon was 0800 801 801! (totallly different i now)
0181 811 8181 was originally 081 811 8181, i remember when it changed over, caused much confusion
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Old 15-04-2006, 21:26
*Bex*
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Originally Posted by Inkblot
I didn't mean to suggest you're ignorant - just that there's a "real" reason for having the break after the 020 rather than a "hypothetical" one.
Been out all day... sorry - didn't mean for that to come across as quite so obnoxious

I totally see where you're coming from re: the space I just find it hard to understand how some people struggle to break the number down
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Old 15-04-2006, 21:32
*Bex*
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Originally Posted by skp20040
That old Inner and Outer chesnut was such a pile of crap wasn't it ? I mean I remember the snobbery over it , I remember the BBC comedy Birds of a Feather showed the snobby Dorien paying to have an 071 number in Chigwell .

But the way BT worked it was so stupid , Hammersmith was classed as Outer London yet Bermondsey central London , there was no rhyme nor reason to it ( well from my view anyway )
How about this for random... until late 2004 I lived in Blackheath, Lewisham, SE3.

We had a BT line in the lounge at the front of the flat and an NTL line running into the back of the flat. The BT line at the front was an 020 8 number and the NTL line 020 7

Go figure...
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Old 15-04-2006, 21:36
kev
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Originally Posted by simax
Yes.

Penzance - 01736 xxxxxx
Redruth - 01209 xxxxxx
Bodmin - 01208 xxxxxx
Swindon - 01793 xxxxxx

Mobile - 07xxx xxxxxx

Follows the grain (except the 0131/0151 and 02x numbers - but thats been discussed already)
But there are plenty of places with 3 and 4 digit area codes (usually the most populated too), and some up in Cumbria with 6 digits. (e.g. (015396) for Sedbergh)

You also forgot about all the 011's that come in on PhoneOneDay. When there is a reason e.g. 123456 wouldn't work in London when 7123456 would it obviously makes sense. Just look at the amount of 08000 numbers you see nowdays.
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Old 15-04-2006, 21:38
mattworld
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Originally Posted by sicknote10
0181 811 8181 was originally 081 811 8181, i remember when it changed over, caused much confusion
http://www.tv.cream.org/specialassig...livejingle.wav

I think they even used it for Crime Watch at one point. Then things got really confusing.

Personally, I can never figure out what part of the number is area code and what isn't these days so I always just dial the whole thing. it doesn't help that BT give contradicting info. My local phone book states my area code as 02392, where BT online gives it as 023.
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Old 15-04-2006, 21:46
marknotgeorge
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Originally Posted by m419

The local dialling system is still confusing. In some areas such as Hayes/Uxbridge, in one street, one side could be 0208 and the other side can be 01895 and still be classed as a local call. Although, you cannot use local dialling so you have to call 020-8000-0000 from 01895-000-000 otherwise if you use local dialing, you will be calling 800-000.

This is also the same for Leicster,Tamworth and Birmingham. (0121,01827 and 0116) they are all classed as local between them.
It's always been the case that neighbouring area codes have been charged as a local call. For example in my area (01332), local calls include Nottingham, Burton on Trent, Ashbourne, Loughborough, Coalville and Ripley/Belper.
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Old 15-04-2006, 21:58
plymouthbloke1974
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Originally Posted by kev
Just look at the amount of 08000 numbers you see nowdays.
They're not 08000 numbers though. They're still 0800.

08000 192190 for example should read-

0800 019 2190

It's the way it is. Live with it.

I'm aware of the 6 digit STD's. They'll change soon enough, and I've already counted the 011's as they're classed the same as 0121 or 0131 for example.

For example, not 01179 123456 (Bristol), but

0117 912 3456

Simon
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Old 15-04-2006, 22:01
plymouthbloke1974
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Originally Posted by mattworld
My local phone book states my area code as 02392, where BT online gives it as 023.
BT are correct. It is 023 xxxx xxxx.
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Old 15-04-2006, 22:38
Dr.Phlox
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I think the North American Numbering Plan adapted for EU countries would be a better way to go.

The way it works over there is large geographical areas have blocks of codes allocated - eg NYC has 212, 646, 347, 718 and one other which I forget right now (think it's 916). Initially, 212 covered Manhattan, 718 covered the rest of the boroughs as most major businesses were centered around Manhattan, the rest were more residential (in the case of Staten Island, quite sparsely populated until about 35-40 years ago). Then along came faxes, then cellphones and the numbers were rapidly running out.

The numbers were (in full) 1-xxx-yyy-zzzz where xxx was the main area code, the yyy was a local switch code then zzzz was the kit hanging off. When the switches were upgraded to digital it was then possible to have the same yyy part anywhere else on the area which made porting numbers over when you moved house possible.

If such a system was used here, the wide area codes could be anything from 001 to 999 (reserved numbers excepting), each county could therefore have 1 main "xxx" except where size dictates more. So 210 to 219 for London, 220-229 for Manchester, 230-239 for Glasgow etc followed by the provinces and counties in alphabetical order.

That would then leave 999,999 numbers usable for each area per "xxx". To dial between them, you'd just need to dial (for example 212 123 1234 from anywhere in the country to connect you to that London number. The digital switches would know what calls are local to you and you would be billed accordingly. The special numbers, 999, 112 etc would still stay the same as they'd be reserved much like 911, 411 etc is in the States. Non geographical or freephone could work as in the states 800, 808, 870, 900 etc. So +44 800 123 1234 would be a freephone number.

Each EU country could then do a similar system. To dial international, use the standard 011 followed by country code. So 011 44 212 123 1234 gets you London, but 011 33 212 123 1234 gets you someone in Paris for example.

What about mobiles? I hear you ask. Well in the US NANP system, cellphones have the same numbers as landlines. In the US this is forced by law - and could be the same in the UK. That way your airtime you pay for with the phone would cover the cost back to the networks of connecting your call, as is what happens across the pond. The Yanks find it weird that we don't lose calling minutes for receiving!

It would therefore be possible for companies to buy blocks of numbers for certain areas. The BBC for example could take +44 212 111 xxxx ( the 111 would spell "BBC" on the keypad). It would also mean you could get a phone number that spelled your name. Say you lived in Norwich and it's new code was 419, you run a plumbing business, you could get yourself +44 419 123 TAPS (8277). Because there are 998 potential other numbers ending in 8277 other plumbers could have similar numbers if they so wanted. Local police could have +44 XXX YYY COPS so you'd go through to the Force HQ for your local bizzies.

The downside to this system - the cost. Every number in the country would change (oh wait, they might already be anyway), so every business would need to update stationery, signage etc. The way round would be to have an auto anouncement for every number dialled that started 01 or 02 that directs for free to the customers new number, so 0181 811 8181 would say "This number has now changed, please note the new number is 212 111 8181 please make a note of this for your records whilst we connect your call". That could run for 6 months to a year. BT wouldn't lose money on the calls as it's just going to be a virtual connection on their new wazzy IP based phone network.

Whaddaya think?

DP
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Old 15-04-2006, 22:56
BexTech
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People need to stop thinking of London having new numbers.

There is only one dialling code for London, that is 020, and digits after that are local numbers, just like 0121 is the dialling code for Birmingham and any digits after that are the local number.
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Old 15-04-2006, 22:57
JasonW
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Originally Posted by Carlos_dfc
I remember when I was a kid - 0207 was the code for Stanley (in Co. Durham)
Then it became 02072 - XXXXX
Then they added a '1' and shifted the last 2 onto the number - 01207 - 2XXXXX
Now it's part of Tyneside's 0191 - XXX XXXX
No it isn't - it's still 01207 xxxxxx - Chester-le-Street (which when I was a lad had 4 digit local numbers, STD code 038588) got an 88 prefix and STD code of 0385, then became Durham 091388xxxx (87,89 numbers started to appear then too), then 01913xxxxxx.
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Old 15-04-2006, 22:57
mattworld
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Originally Posted by simax
BT are correct. It is 023 xxxx xxxx.
They are indead, the online version anyway, the BT phonebook tells me the area code is 02392.
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Old 15-04-2006, 22:59
BexTech
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Originally Posted by Dr.Phlox

Each EU country could then do a similar system. To dial international, use the standard 011 followed by country code. So 011 44 212 123 1234 gets you London, but 011 33 212 123 1234 gets you someone in Paris for example.

Whaddaya think?

011 isn't standard. 00 is the standard, it's only a few countries like the USA and Australia that don't use the standard.
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Old 15-04-2006, 23:08
jakboi
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Originally Posted by Guineveretoo
The sole reason that it is better to write it the second way is that that is the correct way of writing it!

You see, if you are in the 020 area (i.e. anywhere in London) you can call the number by omitting the 020 and just dialling the 8 digits at the end. Also, if you are giving your number out to a London person (like, when I call a cab or a takeaway/delivery), I only have to give them the last 8 digits.

It mildly irritates me when people refuse to write it correctly.
0207 123 4567



thats how i will always write it and see it, and when i'm in london (i work from there) i will still read out 020 first and start dialing as i say the 7...

0207
0207
0207
0207
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Old 15-04-2006, 23:15
dawson
 
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Originally Posted by BexTech
011 isn't standard. 00 is the standard, it's only a few countries like the USA and Australia that don't use the standard.
I think you'll find that 00 is only the standard within the EU

There seem to be more than just 'a few countries' that don't use 00 around the world
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Old 15-04-2006, 23:16
BexTech
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Originally Posted by jakboi
0207 123 4567



thats how i will always write it and see it, and when i'm in london (i work from there) i will still read out 020 first and start dialing as i say the 7...

0207
0207
0207
0207

Well, there are always idiots in the world, just a shame one of them had to come from Birmingham, if you had come from London, I could have understood.
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Old 15-04-2006, 23:19
BexTech
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Originally Posted by dawson
I think you'll find that 00 is only the standard within the EU

There seem to be more than just 'a few countries' that don't use 00 around the world
http://www.exportbureau.com/telephon..._dialcode.html
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Old 15-04-2006, 23:36
skp20040
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Originally Posted by BexTech
Well, there are always idiots in the world, just a shame one of them had to come from Birmingham, if you had come from London, I could have understood.

Uch Hum , and just for that I shall be starting a campaign for Birmingham to be changed to 32 digit numbers rotating on a daily basis. Actually shouldn't joke some loony at BT may be reading and implement it .
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Old 15-04-2006, 23:38
BexTech
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Originally Posted by skp20040
Uch Hum , and just for that I shall be starting a campaign for Birmingham to be changed to 32 digit numbers rotating on a daily basis. Actually shouldn't joke some loony at BT may be reading and implement it .

Would be funny though! Certainly confuse my friends in London, though that's not hard to do!
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Old 15-04-2006, 23:50
dawson
 
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Originally Posted by BexTech
Originally Posted by dawson
I think you'll find that 00 is only the standard within the EU

There seem to be more than just 'a few countries' that don't use 00 around the world
http://www.exportbureau.com/telephon..._dialcode.html


According to my dictionary:
few adj. Amounting to or consisting of a small number; being more than one but indefinitely small in number.
Some of the countries that have not adopted 00 as their international direct dialling prefix:

Anguilla
Antigua
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Barbuda
Belarus
Bermuda
Bolivia
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Cambodia
Canada
Cayman Islands
Chad
Christmas Island
Cocos-Keeling Islands
Colombia
Cuba
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Georgia
Grenada
Guam
Guyana
Hong Kong
Indonesia
Jamaica
Japan
Kazakhstan
Korea (South)
Marshall Islands
Micronesia, (Federal States of)
Midway Island
Mongolia
Montserrat
Nevis
Nigeria
Northern Marianas Islands (Saipan, Rota, & Tinian)
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Puerto Rico
Russia
St. Kitts/Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent & Grenadines
Serbia and Montenegro
Singapore
South Africa
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Trinidad & Tobago
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Ukraine
United States of America
US Virgin Islands
Uzbekistan
Wallis and Futuna Islands
Zanzibar
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Old 15-04-2006, 23:59
BexTech
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Well that is a small number.
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Old 16-04-2006, 00:04
dawson
 
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Originally Posted by BexTech
Well that is a small number.
Put the shovel down
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