We are trying to convince our large company to migrate to 03 numbers, but information from our supplier is putting us off.  Specifically the points below:

* Although these number ranges have now been released for service, you need to consider that the vast majority of the public have not seen these numbers before and may be confused about what they are being charged to call them.

* The ranges are similar to existing 08XX ranges, e.g. 0300 and 0800, 0345 and 0845, 0370 and 0870 etc. This may add to the confusion for callers in both terms of call charges (0800 is free but 0300 is not) and mis-dialling (is that a 3 or an 8?).

* Not all network operators have to allow access to these 03xx numbers. So some of your callers may not be able to get through when trying to dial the 03XX numbers. The only network operator who has to allow access is BT, i.e. only callers calling from a BT landline will be guaranteed to get through.

*Access from abroad to 03XX numbers may be restricted or non existent.


The highlighted text is our greatest worry.  Only when this is resolved will we be allowed to move across.

~ Edited by Dave: Thread split off from NEG propaganda thread and retitled

sojourner65 wrote on Oct 25^th, 2007 at 11:15am:

* Not all network operators have to allow access to these 03xx numbers. So some of your callers may not be able to get through when trying to dial the 03XX numbers. The only network operator who has to allow access is BT, i.e. only callers calling from a BT landline will be guaranteed to get through.

Where is this quote from?

BT is the only operator that must allow connections to every number anyway.

~ Edited by Dave: Thread split and retitled

The quote is part of a response from BT who is our current service provider.

~ Edited by Dave: Thread split and retitled

sojourner65 wrote on Oct 25^th, 2007 at 11:53am:

The quote is part of a response from BT who is our current service provider.

Thanks. So your company is looking at switching to 03 numbers then?

~ Edited by Dave: Thread split and retitled

We the telephony administrators are trying very hard to influence the decision!  It's just information like this that isn't helping our business case at the moment. After reading this statement our project has been put on hold for later review...don't worry, I will fight to keep the issue alive, but we may be made to wait and see how things settle in.

At the moment we use mainly 0845s. An additional problem is that we obtained about 50 of our main lines from a previous supplier - the numbers are quite old (purchased to provide real benfit to the customer at the time.)  We are told we have to get the equivalent 0345 from the previous supplier and port them to our current supplier (we intend to run parallel numbers for a period of time.)  Unfortunately it's all additional cost and time to factor in.

~ Edited by Dave: Thread split and retitled

sojourner65 wrote on Oct 25^th, 2007 at 12:16pm:

At the moment we use mainly 0845s. An additional problem is that we obtained about 50 of our main lines from a previous supplier - the numbers are quite old (purchased to provide real benfit to the customer at the time.)  We are told we have to get the equivalent 0345 from the previous supplier and port them to our current supplier (we intend to run parallel numbers for a period of time.)  Unfortunately it's all additional cost and time to factor in.

That's interesting. So Ofcom has done nothing so that those ported numbers will be made available on 034x/037x migration prefixes?

The RSPCA is one of the first 03 numbers I've seen. They give it on the home page and I can call it from my BT line, but not through the prefix 18185. The DVLA is in talks with its provider, BT.

~ Edited by Dave: Thread split and retitled

Yes, the ranges are available in theory.  Here's the answers to more of my questions:

Q: Will you be able to provide migration 0345 numbers to match our numbers previously provided by C&W?
A: Migration ranges have been set aside on the recently introduced 034X and 037X levels that can be used to migrate and exactly match existing 084X and 087X services onto. For example 0845 600 1234 and 0870 240 6789 have exact migration options of 0345 600 1234 and 0370 2406789 respectively. However, the 03XX migration ranges are allocated to the original 08XX number range providers, and only they can provide the migration matches. So if an 0845 number was originally sourced from C&W then the migratory 0345 equivalent can only be obtained through C&W. Once provided you will then be able to port this number to your preferred supplier such as BT. You should also note that not all operators will offer 03XX services as either new or migratory ranges. They do not have to under the Ofcom guidelines. So you may find that you have an 08XX number, originally sourced from an operator who has decided not to offer 03XX services. In which case you will not be able to have a migratory 03XX equivalent.


Q: What is the cut off date to obtain 0345 numbers which match our 0845 numbers?
A: No cut off date has been set. It is our understanding that the migratory number ranges can only ever be used as that and cannot be offered as "new services". This means that no competitor of yours will be able to utilise 03XX numbers that are the same last 7 digits as your 08XX numbers.

~ Edited by Dave: Thread split and retitled

C&W have blocks of 0345 (and other 03) numbers allocated, so I assume you won't have a problem getting them.

When was that advice ("Not all network operators have to allow access to these 03xx numbers") from BT sent to you? Are other telcos advising likewise?

It will take some time for any company/organisation to plan for changing numbers, by which time those smaller telcos will (hopefully) have made 03 accessible.

The DVLA is the process of switching to 03 with its provider, BT. The RSPCA has changed to 0300 numbers (also with BT).

Tests show that the RSPCA number (0300 1234 555) can be called from BT and Virgin Media landlines and Orange and Vodafone mobiles. O2 and 3 mention 03 numbers alongside 01/02 ones on their websites. Can anyone try calling from other telcos?

Quote:

Tests show that the RSPCA number (0300 1234 555) can be called

Not from Skype it can't.

Says 'Invalid Phone Number'   :(

Quote:

Tests show that the RSPCA number (0300 1234 555) can be called

...and, yes it can from my US VoIP provider!  :)

i'm on sky with cps, i am able to call rspca number
gudman

RSPCA fine from Virgin Media landlines and 3 Mobiles if that helps.

I was given that information by BT at the beginning of last week.

sojourner65 wrote on Oct 25^th, 2007 at 11:15am:

* Not all network operators have to allow access to these 03xx numbers. So some of your callers may not be able to get through when trying to dial the 03XX numbers. The only network operator who has to allow access is BT, i.e. only callers calling from a BT landline will be guaranteed to get through.

It is true that only BT has to allow access to 03x numbers but this also applies to all other number ranges like 08x and geographical.

Other network operators (known as OCP - Originating Communication Providers) don't have to allow access to any numbers they don't want to and this includes 01/02, the new 03x, 084x, 087x, etc...

However, it should be noted that it's not in a network operators interest to actually block access to numbers their customers want to ring (and this includes 03x) because then their customers will simply move to other providers instead.

None of the main landline providers (BT, TalkTalk, SkyTalk, VirginMedia, etc) block access to 03x and it's extremely unlikely that other providers would do either.

03x is still in early stages yet and as such some mobile networks may not have setup their systems to handle 03x calls.

Also, access from abroad may not be possible at first simply because it is a new number range however once 03x is established then there is no reason why international operators would block access to these numbers.  The main reason for this is that it would cost international operators the exact same amount of money to route the call back to the UK as it does for geographical 01/02 numbers.

Some international operators may block access to 0844, 0845, 0870, 0871 numbers simply because these calls cost a lot more than geographical and the new 03x numbers.

 Failing a migration solution, perhaps taking on NEW 03 prefixed numbers will help. This could be marketed to customers as a positive change, with the need to note down a completely new number (as opposed to changing the 8 to a 3) being balanced by a cut in cost from around 7ppp to the normal geographic cost of 3.25ppp, or "free" with any package (provided this is also intended to be implemented by OFCOM).
  Many companies trading UP to 0871 and 0844 have dispelled the myth that changing an NTS number is a huge and nearly impossible burden to them and something they simply cannot inflict on customers.

Dave wrote on Oct 25^th, 2007 at 12:46pm:

The RSPCA is one of the first 03 numbers I've seen. They give it on the home page and I can call it from my BT line, but not through the prefix 18185.

Working via 18185 now.

Andrews & Arnold have a couple of test numbers - 03000 400123 and 03333 400123.  If you can connect to these, you will hear your CLI being read to you.

T-Mobile now seems to be live with 03333 although with some noisy sidetone, but not connecting to 03000 yet.

Cheers, Nick

I can also confirm that 03333 numbers are diallable from an O2 mobile, but not the 03000 number.

They are also not diallable from Skype or Gizmo (another VoIP provider).

Just to confirm that 0300 numbers are now callable from O2 mobile - I've just tried the A&A 0300 number and it worked fine. I haven't tried from my VoIP providers yet though.

jgxenite wrote on Dec 29^th, 2007 at 4:45pm:

I haven't tried from my VoIP providers yet though.

Using Voipstunt, "the number you dialed is invalid"

03000 400123
Brilliant  >:( "Number Not in Use" on Orange PAYG
Come on Ofcom! Or do you have no powers here either?
What a SHAMBLES

Complain to Orange (numbers in the database if you need them ;)) and tell them to get their butt in gear!

If they don't, complain to Ofcom.

jgxenite wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2008 at 9:59pm:

complain to Ofcom.

Not worth complaining to Ofcom.  Only BT are obliged to carry ALL calls - all other operators can pick and choose what type of number they want to carry.

It's probably a case that Orange and the telephone company that owns that specific 03 number haven't negotiated a fee for carrying the call, etc or a simple case that Orange hasn't opened their network to that specific 03 number range (assuming fees have been negotiated).

jgxenite wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2008 at 9:59pm:

Complain to Orange

I did so at 11:30 this morning.

Bringing in this range was said to be work in progress.

I gave a very gentle push.

It is now working.

Tks SCV.