Local Dialling Closure
Changes to Local Dialling From October 1st 2014
Changes to the local dialling from 1st October 2014
What change is happening to local phone calls?
From 1 October 2014, people in five areas of the UK will need to include the area code whenever they dial a local number from a landline – in the same way people currently do when calling from mobile phones.
At present the code can be omitted for local calls from landlines, but this means Ofcom is unable to make available new local numbers beginning with a ‘zero’ or a ‘one’.
The change will free up new telephone numbers to be issued in areas where supplies are running low.
Which areas are affected?
The change will happen in five dialling code areas:
- Aberdeen (01224): Includes Aberdeen and the area to the west, including towns such as Westhill.
- Bradford (01274): Includes Bradford and the surrounding areas such as Basildon, Bingley, Cleckheaton and Shipley.
- Brighton (01273): Includes Brighton and Hove, as well as places such as Lewes, Newhaven, Peacehaven and Southwick.
- Middlesbrough (01642): Includes Middlesbrough and surrounding places such as Stockton, Redcar, Stokesley and Yarm.
- Milton Keynes (01908): Includes Milton Keynes, Bletchley, Newport Pagnell and an area to the north as far as Ravenstone.
When will the change happen?
If you live in one of the five areas, you will have to dial the local code from 1 October 2014. However, it is good idea to get into the habit of dialling the code from today.
What if I forget to dial the code?
After 1 October 2014, if you dial a local number but forget to include the code, you will hear a free message asking you to redial.
Will the cost of a call change?
The answer is simply no. Dialling the code does not affect the price of the call.
Will phone numbers change?
No. We can create more numbers without changing anybody’s existing phone number. This is important for us, as we know that number changes are costly and inconvenient for consumers and businesses.
Why are the changes necessary in these particular areas?
The number of telecoms companies has increased significantly over the last ten years, leading to more competition and cheaper landline bills for millions of homes and businesses. But it has also led to increased pressure on the supply of new phone numbers in these five areas.
Asking landline callers to use the code locally is intended to safeguard the future supply of new landline numbers and avoid the need for more disruptive measures, such as changing existing phone numbers. The supply of new landline numbers also ensures that consumers and businesses continue to enjoy the widest choice of telecoms providers.
How will the changes create more numbers?
Allowing callers to omit the code makes it impossible to allocate local numbers that begin with zero or one – such as (01224) 077 345 or (01224) 118 456. This is because, if a person dialled such a local number and omitted the code, the network would interpret the dialled digits as a mobile number (e.g. beginning 07) or directory enquiries number (e.g. beginning 118), rather than a local number. This could lead to the call failing to be connected, or being connected to the wrong number.
Has this been tried anywhere else?
Yes. In November 2012, Ofcom implemented the same change in the Bournemouth dialling code area, where the process ran smoothly. (Going into the change, Ofcom research showed that 81% of local residents were aware of it, and 94% said they were not concerned by it.)
How are you going to tell people about this change?
Telecoms companies will help to communicate the change to their customers. Ofcom also expects to engage with residents through local media, local councils and business groups. Together, Ofcom and the telecoms companies will ensure callers in the areas are informed of the change in good time, and the local community is prepared.
Who should I contact for further information?
Ofcom is working with telephone companies such as Creative Telecoms to ensure callers in the five areas are informed of the change in good time, and the local communities are prepared.