Ofcom is proposing the withdrawal of the 0500 Freephone number range and has issued a consultation; the Ofcom 0500 Number Consultation closes on 8th January 2013.
Many of you will not even be aware of 0500 numbers, which is one of the main problems with them in Ofcom’s opinion.
We wrote about this change back in March. That was at the start of a consultation period regarding local residents in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch having to dial the area code to call a 01202 number.
Well, its confirmed. As of the 1st November that is what these people will have to do.
To help with the transition, callers who forget will hear a free message telling them to include the area code. Ofcom will also be working in advance with local groups within the community to ensure as many people are informed as possible.
This is a press release we received from Ofcom today. As often happens when we get these, it’s the timing involved that always leaves us feeling, well, a little left behind by the rest of the world.
We were talking in the office how in Australia you can get 3G coverage in the middle of the outback. Australia and the US already have wider use of 4G and we’re just increasing the obligation for coverage of 3G. Plus this obligation doesn’t take effect until next year.
Not very inspiring.
“Ofcom has today published the methodology it will use to assess the 3G coverage levels of mobile network operators that sign up for new 3G licence conditions.
On 20 December 2010, the Government directed Ofcom to revise the coverage obligation specified in the current 3G licences should the Licensee request a variation to the term of their licence. The key requirements of the revised obligation are that by 20 June 2013, the licensee must provide an electronic communications network:
Ofcom has worked with mobile network operators to reach a consensus regarding a coverage obligation verification methodology. This work is now complete and the methodology is available here.”
People living in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch will soon have to dial the 01202 area code to make a local call, Ofcom confirmed today.
Ofcom has proposed that this change comes into effect on 1 November 2012, subject to consultation. It is designed to safeguard the future supply of landline telephone numbers in the Bournemouth area and avoid the need to change existing phone numbers.
Ofcom has also set out final proposals to launch a pilot scheme to charge communication providers 10p per phone number per year in 30 area codes (out of a total of 610) with the fewest number blocks remaining available for allocation to encourage their efficient use.
The consultation can be found here.