My friend is at Lancaster University and I don't like to phone the 0870 number, would prefer to use the REAL number if poss! The first digits of my friends number are:

0870 7535

There are another three seemingly random numbers, but I am reluctant to post them, as it is not my number!

That number belongs to Your Communications Ltd.

Try the following three numbers:

01524 50
01524 51
01524 52

If you find the number, please post a reply here
and add it to the site's database.

By the way, the trailing "5" of the number you quoted is probably part of the extension number, so you still need to include it to make the correct number of digits. e.g.
01524 50 5xxx

The extention number of my friend is not in anyway related to the outside line number, I admit this is strange but there appears to be no logical pattern.

I tried all three numbers with both the last four digits of the internal and external and her fone did not ring.

it rang continuously on two numbers but I would've thought that the university hall service would have an answering service and I let it ring ample times.

Any other suggestions? Thanks for your support!

Do you just dial an 11-digit number to call direct to the room from the outside (i.e. 0870 753 5xxx) ?

You've probably tried all sensible combinations with those three codes already.

Do they use DogNBone phonecards? (It seems so from the website). We've discussed these before:
http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?board=news;action=display;num=1097534421;start=1#1

It's a small company, so could use a different company to carry the calls (and the geographical and 0870 numbers could be different operators).

There are 57 codes allocated in Lancaster, so I guess the only method left is to try them all. (If you know it should go straight through to an answerphone, it shouldn't take too long...)

See this page for the numbers to try:

http://www.ukphoneinfo.com/search/Phones/oftel_cl_sabc_1524.html

Hiya!

This information relates to CityBlock 1 & 2 in Lancaster - is it the same for the uni?

Original question was here:
http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?board=test;action=display;num=1116285859

To dial out there are two methods available:
1. Dial 1414 and enter dognbonezone system OR:
2. Dial any allowed number (there is a list on our phones - eg. CityBlock management, Telephone Connexions, local police, room-to-room etc.) - these calls are free to us.

It is normal BT lines that are connected to our phone system. There are 10 BT lines that come into the building with switching equipment in the basement (which I have seen operating). Only 8 outside lines can be used at any one time with a recorded "Please wait for a moment - the system is busy" message if this is exceeded.

When using method 2) to dial out, we just pick up the phone and dial as normal. The BT line connects as normal. It is not a VoIP system.

If we dial a number not listed just from picking up the phone (as you would do at home), the system downstairs cuts off the line as soon as you dial a number different from what it expects - eg. CityBlock managment we could dial the same number, but change one digit and the system would cut off at that digit.

The telephone network is provided and maintained by the company telephone connexions (carlisle).

Sorry about the delay in answering the original thread - I set the Watch Topic option, but unfortunately didn't receive an email!

Thanks,
Alex.

I have just tried to find out the geographic number by calling telephone connexions.

They insist there is no local number to point at - "the system is set up using an 0870 number only"

Can this be??

The customer services number is: 01228 518902.

I was originally talking to a nice person who answered and confirmed there was a 01524 local number and that we didn't use VoIP. Then I got put through to the guy who deals with the CityBlock phone system and he was very rude - "we wouldn't give it out to you anyway, thats how we make money", "it has nothing to do with anybody else, you deal with me or nobody"!!!

It seems they are very protective of their 0870 numbers!!!!

If anybody requires further info, please contact me.

Alex.

Just to clarify:

Dognbonezone do not provide the telephone system at either Lancaster Uni or CityBlock.

They just provide the ability to make calls and have no control over the incoming number or calls.

Thanks,
Alex.

Tell them you're having trouble with international callers getting through on the 0870 number, and that you require the geographical number for overseas callers.

That's what I did with ntl at Swansea University but they kept giving me a geo number which didn't work and said "sorry, can't do anything else".

It may work for you.  Give it a go ;D

Ah, good idea! I'll try that on Tuesday =o)

I spent quite some time trying to find the geographic number today -
Here goes the chain:

1) Number allocated by BT ->

2) Number leased to Your Communications Ltd (0800 195 9000 www.yourcommunications.co.uk
)

2) Number sub-leased to Catalyst Management Ltd (0800 092 0011 http://www.catalystmanagement.co.uk/)

3) Number sub-sub-leased to Telephone Connexions
(No website?)

4) Provided to Building (CityBlock 2)

All of these companies know the geographic number, but none will actually reveal it. BT state the number is ex-directory so cannot share it either.

Any suggestions what I can try?
Alex.

I don't think there is anyway to make them tell us.  In fact under the Data Protection Act they can refuse to tell us.

I'm guessing the only way they'll mention it (assuming the calling from overseas doesn't work) is that you get a helpful person on the other end who gives you the number without realising it!

That is, unless anyone else can think of another solution?

You could track down their offices and hold them hostage till they agree to release the numbers ;D

I think that would be a breach of more than the data protection act though......

The overseas caller excuse failed to work. The top two want written permission from the one below them in any case and telephone connexions was "in a meeting" (they won't help but they are nice people on the phone).

I think there is an industry standard protection ring around the geographical alternatives business. Maybe they even have their own mob to enforce it.....

Alex.

The top two want written permission of what?  Isn't it obvious that some countries can't call NGNs? >:(

You should seriously consider my earlier suggestion... ;D

Permission they can disclose the number to me. The geographic number is supposedly protected under the trade secrets act - it is a secret of the trade which makes them money. To disclose it without written permission is an offence.  :o

Alex.

Another idea - try to find someone with a personal number (070 prefix) as some of those actually identify witheld callers.  Argos sell a product like this in their catalogue.

Call that number/that person on the personal number and see what it is.  Worth a try ;)

actually companies have got wise to this now as well and they can make the CLI say the 0870 number.

wrote on May 29^th, 2005 at 1:46pm:

actually companies have got wise to this now as well and they can make the CLI say the 0870 number.

But this also gets round people who who bar calls from anonymous numbers.

Nah, they do it just to make money! It's not to help us, with all the ways they try to guard the local number it has to involve money!!

Alex.

It's crafty too. I wonder how much income they do get from 0870 numbers, is there a way to find that out??

Alex.

wrote on May 29^th, 2005 at 2:36pm:

It's crafty too. I wonder how much income they do get from 0870 numbers, is there a way to find that out??

Loads of providers online. Put something like "0870 number" into Google. See also "Say no to 0870! hot topics" thread which links to some chat on getting your own 0870/1.  :)

I've had an insider at Telephone Connexions work at this problem - apparently the CityBlock 2 0870 numbers terminate directly at an ISDN switchboard in our basement. How does that work? We are not a VoIP system.

Hi there guys. I was wondering if you can work some of your magic for me, it would be a huge help to someone who is in real need of it right now.

Does anyone out there know how to find the geographical equivalent for the numbers in the halls of residence at Lancaster university?

Here is what i know:

The university uses the dog and bone phone card system as provided by catalyse management limited which is based in Cheshire.

Each room in the university has a 0870 number that is unique to each room it is 0870 followed by a 7 digit code.

The phones on campus that are not student phones all have area codes with 01524 (Lancaster).

Here is what I have tried so far:

1.
There was some advice about deileing the 01524 area code and last 6 digits of the student room but that does not work, The number cam up as not in use.  (called the 0870 first to check the line and that worked) so it may be worth removing that from the uncheck numbers so it does not confuse other people.

2
Tried calling the internal extension number with the standard geographical area code (as listed on the phone) still no joy the number again came up as not in use.

3.  Searched the forums here on saynoto0870.com for things mentioning Lancaster University but only come up with something that says that some of the York extensions are valid at Lancaster. Is that any use

Can anyone out there help me the real problem is that I have family overseas and it is going to cost them money that they don’t really have just to talk to me.

Please please help if you can
Thanks

[edit]by Dave:
This thread has been joined to the existing one on Lancaster University accommodation.[/edit]

Hi DavidUK, I've merged your thread, so you might like to have a read of what's already been said.


DavidK wrote on Oct 1^st, 2006 at 11:29am:

Each room in the university has a 0870 number that is unique to each room it is 0870 followed by a 7 digit code.

Please give one or more 0870 numbers you know, with the last two digits **ed out.

Also, the internal extension number with the last two digits **ed out.


Quote:

3.  Searched the forums here on saynoto0870.com for things mentioning Lancaster University but only come up with something that says that some of the York extensions are valid at Lancaster. Is that any use

Can you provide a link to the page that says this?

DavidUK has PMed me in answer to the questions I asked. His answers are as follows:


Dave wrote on Oct 1^st, 2006 at 2:00pm:

DavidK wrote on Oct 1st, 2006 at 11:29am: Each room in the university has a 0870 number that is unique to each room it is 0870 followed by a 7 digit code. Please give one or more 0870 numbers you know, with the last two digits **ed out. Also, the internal extension number with the last two digits **ed out.

The numbers are 0870 75421** and the internal one is 552**. David, are the last two digits the same on the 0870 and the internal number?


Dave wrote on Oct 1^st, 2006 at 2:00pm:

Quote: 3.  Searched the forums here on saynoto0870.com for things mentioning Lancaster University but only come up with something that says that some of the York extensions are valid at Lancaster. Is that any use Can you provide a link to the page that says this?

The post is here and is as follows:

elcondor wrote on Jan 26^th, 2006 at 8:23pm:

I don't know if it's another student number, I just rang it on a mobile while seeing if my phone rang  ;D What seems interesting to me is that some of the numbers in the York 0870 range also seem to be valid numbers at Lancaster. That said, I haven't tried Torch Communications yet, and their name seems to ring a bell from some maintenance work that was done a while back.

I think what elcondor is referring to is that some of the 0870 numbers are similar at the two universities. That does not mean that the underlying geographical numbers are similar. It is possible that the underlying numbers have an area code different to the one where the lines are based. We have discovered that this is the case at Southampton, where they use Winchester numbers, but going by the 0870 numbers, I think that that is a different telco.

BTW, I've removed the entry from the database which said that these lines can be called using 01524 followed by the internal extension number. :)

Another clue that might help us is if there are any manhole covers nearby or boxes mounted on the wall (either externally or internally) with the telco's logo on. NTL, Torch Telecom and Cable & Wireless (or C&W) are three such examples. Might sound a weird suggestion, but keep your eyes peeled and let us know if you find anything.

From what we have to go on, 0870 753 and 0870 754 were allocated in May 1996, so the system could be upto 10 years old. Both are allocated to Your Communications (YC). As jrawle pointed out at the beginning of the thread, YC have three prefixes within the Lancaster code. These are (with change dates):

• 01524 50 07/2004
  
• 01524 51 12/2002
  
• 01524 52 05/1995

Going by those dates, I think that 01524 52 is worth a try. Try 01524 52 followed by the last four digits of your internal number.

I tried the 01524-52****, using the last four digits of my internal number, but it did not work... :-/... I would be really glad for any more suggestions.  I will keep an eye out to find out what phone company it is, but if this is any help at all, the calling card company that the Uni recommends is Dog and Bone Zone cards from the Catalyst Management Co.  Don't know if that is any help...
Thanks for your time!

DavidK wrote on Oct 2^nd, 2006 at 8:05pm:

I tried the 01524-52****, using the last four digits of my internal number, but it did not work... :-/... I would be really glad for any more suggestions. ...

You could try 01524 51 followed by the last four digits. Failing that, if the system's been installed within the last two years, then there's an outside chance it could be 01524 50.

The other thing you can try are different numbers following the prefix. Try 01524 520xxx, 01524 521xxx and so on upto 01524 529xxx, where xxx are the last three digits of the internal extension number.

sorry if this appears twice. My original post vanished.
My son is also at Lancaster where they use Dog N Bone for internal and external calls. For     internal they have different numbers from the external number.
My son is in County at Lancaster. As suggested I tried ringing 01524 plus 52 plus the last 4 digits of his internal number and I got through to a student in Cartmel college. Haven't managed to get County yet.
His external number is 0870 75 3****
His internal number is 53***
The last figures *** of each number are different.
I have tried 01254 plus 53 but  got number unobtainable
01524 plus 50 is also unobtainable.
If anyone has accidentally got through to County would you please post.
He's phoning on Skype every day asking me to ring back and I can't affors these 0870 numbers.
Yes they can use skype on resnet though  it's frowned upon and  it's difficult to get it set up. Obviously they want the revenue from Dog N BOne

greatgreydogs wrote on Oct 15^th, 2006 at 10:03pm:

...As suggested I tried ringing 01524 plus 52 plus the last 4 digits of his internal number and I got through to a student in Cartmel college. ...

This is part of the university, see here.

This tells us that you are getting warm. It tells us that the university's accommodation phone system uses Lancaster numbers allocated to Your Communications, as listed above.

Thanks for the information you have provided. I strongly suggest that you follow my steps above in reply #25.


Quote:

If anyone has accidentally got through to County would you please post.

I don't think it's a case of finding the number (or range of numbers) for a particular residence. One number may be at one location and the next at another and so on.

You have proven my theory that these lines have YC numbers, so now you have a starting point, follow the steps above.

When you do find the number, please do post it (with the last two digits **ed out), along with the internal number it relates to. This is important so that others in the same boat will not have to search like you have done. It should then be a simple case of working it out.

I have a NGN and geographig pare but do not know its internal extention number is this of any use? I would PM these to you Dave but the site will for some reason not let me send PM's and I dont want to put the peronal information of anyone up on an open internet site.
regards
DavidK

My son just went back to discover that Lancaster have changed all student phones to a new company; Uni-tel.
Their outside line numbers are now 0844 numbers. It's very cheap for them to call out but horrific for us to ring him. I have emailed the company to see if there is a geographical number to ring from abroad. (waiting for a reply but I don't expect one).
Now the external number bears no resemblance to their internal number at all. They have to dial 1414 to ring out, plus their own pin number then the number they are calling but to ring in I have an 0844 number plus a 7 digit phone number which all start with 3084***
I don't know about the other halls of residence.

greatgreydogs wrote on Oct 4^th, 2007 at 2:47pm:

My son just went back to discover that Lancaster have changed all student phones to a new company; Uni-tel.

Website for Uni-Tel is [url=www.unitel.co.uk[/url]]www.unitel.co.uk[/url]

From terms and conditions:


Quote:

These Conditions shall govern and be incorporated into the contract for the supply of the Services by Unitel Global Communications Limited ("Catalyst" or "we") to you (the "Contract").

This suggests that it's still operated by the same company. Interestingly, Dog n Bone Zone still appears to exist.

http://www.dognbonezone.co.uk/

Do you then suggest I continue to try the numbers that were suggested earlier?
This year the internal and external numbers bear no resemblance to each other at all but the internal numbers are exactly the same as they were last year.
Costs for students calling out are much cheaper than with Dog n Bone

My email to Unitel from their website bounced back as Recipient address rejected: User unknown in virtual alias table

greatgreydogs wrote on Oct 4^th, 2007 at 4:54pm:

Do you then suggest I continue to try the numbers that were suggested earlier?

I think they are worth a try. They have changed outside numbers from 0870 to 0844 because come February 2008, 0870 will be reduced to 01/02 rates, meaning that incoming calls are likely to be chargeable to the receiver, rather then earning them revenue.

The new numbers begin 0844 308, and Ofcom records show this prefix to be allocated to Magrathea Telecommunications, date 05/2007. Magrathea has one 01524 prefix: 01524 88, date 09/2004. The digit following the 88 (known as the f-digit) is given by Ofcom as being 0. So you could try 01524 880 followed by the last three digits of the internal number.


greatgreydogs wrote on Oct 4^th, 2007 at 4:54pm:

This year the internal and external numbers bear no resemblance to each other at all but the internal numbers are exactly the same as they were last year.

This seems to contradict itself.  :-?

Are you saying that the accommodation's internal numbers are different to what they were last year? Also, that all the other internal extensions to staff and other departments within the university are still the same?

All internal numbers are exactly the same as they were last year. It's the student external numbers, routed through this company which have changed.
Last year with Dog n Bone the internal numbers (student rooms)  were the same as the external Dog n Bone numbers apart from the last couple of figures.
This year they still have the same internal number as last year for the same room but the external numbers have changed completely.
I will try your suggestion as soon as he's back in his room today.

greatgreydogs wrote on Oct 8^th, 2007 at 8:37am:

...This year they still have the same internal number as last year for the same room but the external numbers have changed completely. ...

As I say, that's because revenue sharing is ending on 0870 and it will be charged at 01/02 rates soon.

What about the phones? Are they still the same?

Do you mean the actual physical phones in the rooms? Yes they are the same and all the external numbers for staff and departments which have an 01524 code at University are the same.

Well I just tried 01524 plus 880 plus the last 3 digits of the internal number
01524880 plus the last 3 digits of the external number
0152488 plus the last 4 digits of internal AND external numbers and got number not recognised or else complete silence; not even a ringtone. and 01524880 plus the last 4 digits of each number; internal and external and again, number not recognised.

Just a suggestion if you have the company details ring the international operator and ask for the area code and the international code for the UK number.

They should furnish you with the UK country code the area code and the number in question, I don't know if this will work but it is worth a try.

In the long run it will save you  a fortune


Baz

My son is at Lancaster and I have tried the various codes this afternoon, including 01524 88, 01534 50, 01524 51 (I did get a reply on this but it wasn't my son's room) and 01524 52, but no luck. The number is 0844 307 62.. Anyone got any more to try?

try putting your son's room number as the last digets, if you get what I mean.

Bens_Mum wrote on Oct 8^th, 2008 at 1:59pm:

My son is at Lancaster and I have tried the various codes this afternoon, including 01524 88, 01534 50, 01524 51 (I did get a reply on this but it wasn't my son's room) and 01524 52, but no luck. The number is 0844 307 62.. Anyone got any more to try?

I presume you are trying 01524 xx yyyy where xx is 88, 50, 51 etc and yyyy are the last four digits of the 0844 number and your son's internal extension number, if they are different? Are they different? Or are the last couple of digits the same?

It is not forced to be the last four digits (of internal extension or 0844) which go onto the prefix. The numbers may have been shifted by so many thousand or hundred.

For example, if the internal extension number is 51234, try 01524 xx0234, 01524 xx1234, 01524 xx2234 through to 01524 xx9234.

Make a note of what answers etc. If any answer you might like to ask them whether they are in the university's halls. If the answer is yes, then you are getting warm and you know that the number you are looking for is within a block of however many numbers they have. A clue to the number of numbers they have in the block is how many rooms they have, assuming all have one phone.

In other cases, we have found that only the last two digits of the outside number match those of the extension or 0844/0870 number.

The number 01524 51???? which you got an answer on, is it a room in the unversity's halls? Or is it a business?

I think it was a room because the reply I got was a sleepy one and didn't sound too pleased. The students don't give their room numbers out even to eachother for that reason. They just use their mobiles. I only ring him back when he rings me! Lancaster University is made up of nine colleges and I think the internal extension prefix numbers (after the code of 01524 5) are all different. The numbers at my son's college, i.e. the offices etc, are 01524 59.....

Bens_Mum wrote on Oct 8^th, 2008 at 2:47pm:

I think it was a room because the reply I got was a sleepy one and didn't sound too pleased. …

In which case, if you are right and it is a student room and it is the accommodation your son is in (not necessarily the same site), then you have found the block of numbers.

Try calling some numbers around that number and see what the response is. Engage the receiver in conversation and see if you can get them to tell you their internal extension number. If it is the right accommodation and you have a pair of outside number and extension number, then it will probably be a simple exercise to work out your son's number.

Bens_Mum, have you tried any more numbers?

It should also be noted that you can "bribe" the person who answers into co-operating with the offer of their geographical alternative number! Or perhaps they like to keep the 08 number to deter their parents from calling...

I have looked at the phone in my sons's room now and the only number on it is the 0844 number, no internal extension number so other than spending all day trying different numbers and really irritating the students, I think I'll just have to pay for the call. ::)

Bens_Mum wrote on Oct 14^th, 2008 at 3:59pm:

I have looked at the phone in my sons's room now and the only number on it is the 0844 number, no internal extension number so other than spending all day trying different numbers and really irritating the students, I think I'll just have to pay for the call. ::)

That's a bit defeatist. You don't need to spend very long, just two or three numbers may reveal the algorithm. Post any numbers you've found here if you don't want to figure it out yourself. Any students with brains and who care about saving money will be delighted to know the geographical number for their room, so shouldn't be irritated when you call. (If that last sentence sounded ironic, it was intentional!)

Dave: it should be just as feasible for any of us to try some numbers. If you have inclusive calls, do you fancy a go?

I phoned the Porter at my son's College this morning to see if I could get him to tell me the internal extension number of my son's room but unfortunately he wasn't having any of it! He did say though that it would be 01524 59....  I tried ringing that with the last four digits of the 0844 number and it said "sorry this number does not accept incoming calls". The Porter said that he does have the extension, but for data protection purposes he can't give it out. He also suggested I ring the main Uni switchboard and ask to be put through, which I tried but they wouldn't do it. Back to the drawing board!!

It is true that the Porter wouldn't be able to give out the extension for your son. However, you could get your son to ask the Porter what extension his phone is - that wouldn't be violating the DPA.

The sage continues. I've now found out that the internal extension numbers are just that, for internal use only and the only way you can ring the student's rooms from outside is by dialing the 0844 number. My son managed to find out the internal extension number of his room and I tried ringing it using the code 01524 5......  When it started ringing out I was hopeful but unfortunately it was a fax.

Bens_Mum wrote on Oct 17^th, 2008 at 2:10pm:

The sage continues. I've now found out that the internal extension numbers are just that, for internal use only and the only way you can ring the student's rooms from outside is by dialing the 0844 number.

Who told you that? The university? We already know that's the official line, but you said you had got through to some rooms with geographical numbers.


Bens_Mum wrote on Oct 17^th, 2008 at 2:10pm:

My son managed to find out the internal extension number of his room and I tried ringing it using the code 01524 5......  When it started ringing out I was hopeful but unfortunately it was a fax.

Was the number you tried 01524 51xxxx, which you said seemed to get through? There may be an offset or the first number might be different. Can you remember what number you dialled when you got through to a room?

For example, if your son's external extension is 1234 and his internal number is 3789, that might indicate that external numbers are in the range 1000-1999 and internal ones 3000-3999. You therefore may have called the person with internal number 3234. Therefore try 01524 51 1789 to reach your son!

Remember, if it's the wrong room, tell the student what his or her geographical number is, and try to find out their extension!

Yes it was the University who told me but I did 'spin them a yarn' about someone calling from abroad. I think when I got through to a room before (not definitely a room though), I dialed 01524 52..... I've just tried that now adding the last 4 digits of the internal extension number and it rung out. I know my son's not in so I'll try later. His extension number has only 5 digits, beginning with a 5.

I believe that of those university systems which have been cracked, that the last two digits of geographical, 0844/0870 and extension match.

Perhaps you could send me a private message with your son's extension number, 0870 number and the number you tried which you think was a student room and I can suggest which numbers to try so I don't have to explain what I mean generically (ie without knowing the exact number).

Refer back to your post in reply #38 in this thread where you said that it was 01524 51 which got the response you thought might be a student's room.

I think it's safe to say that if the extension numbers are five digits in the form 5xxxx, the 5 should be removed before trying to match it with a geographical prefix. And as Dave says, it's likely only the last two or three digits remain the same. I think this is as much due to the shortage of available numbers as to the phone companies trying to hide the numbers.

jrawle wrote on Oct 17^th, 2008 at 9:19pm:

… And as Dave says, it's likely only the last two or three digits remain the same. I think this is as much due to the shortage of available numbers as to the phone companies trying to hide the numbers.

Indeed. Which means that if you have found one of the numbers within the block of numbers for the student accommodation, then "homing in" on the correct one for your son is likely to be a case of trying 10 or 20 possibilities at most as it's likely that the last two digits will be the same, thus the numbers will be offset by a multiple of so many hundred.

If you PM me with the numbers, I will explain what I mean.

Dave wrote on Oct 17^th, 2008 at 10:34pm:

jrawle wrote on Oct 17th, 2008 at 9:19pm: … And as Dave says, it's likely only the last two or three digits remain the same. I think this is as much due to the shortage of available numbers as to the phone companies trying to hide the numbers. Indeed. Which means that if you have found one of the numbers within the block of numbers for the student accommodation, then "homing in" on the correct one for your son is likely to be a case of trying 10 or 20 possibilities at most as it's likely that the last two digits will be the same, thus the numbers will be offset by a multiple of so many hundred. If you PM me with the numbers, I will explain what I mean.

As a newbie I have just been reading this thread.  Many thanks to all for your searching.  My son is also at Lancaster University, in Furness College and I would like to be able to bypass the 0844 number.

Has there been any conclusion to this hunt?  I would be grateful for any further information that perhaps has not been posted on the forum and perhaps I could try any suggestions :)

Thanks.

seesma wrote on Dec 1^st, 2008 at 8:26pm:

As a newbie I have just been reading this thread.  Many thanks to all for your searching.  My son is also at Lancaster University, in Furness College and I would like to be able to bypass the 0844 number. Has there been any conclusion to this hunt?  I would be grateful for any further information that perhaps has not been posted on the forum and perhaps I could try any suggestions :)

The previous poster seemed to give up. If you can try some numbers, that would be great!

Perhaps we can start from nearer the beginning again. Your son has a phone number in the form 0844 xxx xxxx? Does he also have an internal number in the form 5xxxx? Any information you can post here will be helpful (you probably should xx out the last two digits of any numbers you post).

The previous poster had some success with the number 01524 51xxxx, but it was a different student's room. We need to find out a few pairs of numbers so as to crack the algorithm.

Thanks for your reply.  Can I just recap on the information needed?

I now have my son's 0844 number and his internal extension number.  If I got, or he got, three more of these pairs of numbers would that be any good, or do you need more than that?  Sorry, my maths is not up to algorithms these days (even if it once was!).

I feel fairly confident that I can get a few pairs of numbers together and that my son would probably collect these himself for me.  Not sure that he would get 10 or 20 though ::)  Anyway let me know what is needed.

seesma wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2008 at 7:27pm:

I now have my son's 0844 number and his internal extension number.  If I got, or he got, three more of these pairs of numbers would that be any good, or do you need more than that?  Sorry, my maths is not up to algorithms these days (even if it once was!).

That might help us to work out how internal and 0844 numbers are related, but we don't really need to do that if the students already know these numbers.

What we need to do is work out how these numbers relate to a third set of numbers, which are probably in the form 01524 51xxxx. The xxxx could be related to the internal extension, or to the 0844 number, possibly offset by a certain amount.

The only way to find this out now is to try some 01524 numbers. You can start by using the last four digits of your son's internal extension in place of the xxxx.

If at any stage you get through to a student, you need to ask them nicely to give you their internal and 0844 numbers. Explain that you were trying to call your son (maybe they know him!) and that you are trying to use a different number that's free to dial from mobile phones - even if you are using a landline, that's a good way to put it to students, who may already be realising that calling their mates in their rooms from their mobile is costing a fortune. If the student you have found at random tells you his or her numbers, you can give the 01524 number in return - fair deal! Oh, do call at a time that's considered sociable by students - if you call at 9am, they aren't likely to be too eager and willing to help!

Make sure you note down anything you find out. And don't forget to note the number you have dialled too in case you forget what you tried! Note down any failures too!

If you find a working number and its equivalent, you may see a pattern that allows you to work out your son's number. For example, if 01524 516789 goes to internal extension 54789, the last three digits need to stay the same, and 2000 possibly be added to the number.

Please let us know any pairs you find out. If you are worried about posting students' phone numbers here, you can send it in a Personal Message (PM) to me and other regular forum members such as Dave so we can have a look. (Having said that, we don't need to know the students' names along with the numbers, and if anyone wants to phone random students in their rooms they can do that already!)

It is apparently a definite 'no no' throughout the university for students to give out their room number, even to their mates because people get drunk and it then becomes hilarious to ring someone. They can switch off their mobile when they want to sleep. Don't forget students don't have any particular sleep pattern! Therefore if you do get through to students, you might find they're not willing to co-operate. That's why I eventually gave up trying. One point of interest though is that I had my son's room number from last year in my mobile because I forgot to change it. I went up there at the weekend and because there was no signal on his mobile (that's also really bad at Lancaster), I rang his 'room' to tell him I'd arrived. I got a 'number unobtainable' tone so maybe they change the 0844 numbers every year.

If you're calling someone on a geographical number that you know, you can already call them at any time of day or night to disturb their sleep. Whether or not they give you a different number for the same phone is irrelevant. If their mobiles don't work, what do they do when they want to call friends for a genuine reason? Landline phones can have their ringers silenced or be unplugged at night, although I think the problem is exaggerated.

I think we should let the new poster decide whether to proceed with finding the number.

You say you eventually gave up: does that mean you got through to rooms on several occasions? Do you know which numbers you dialled, as that might indicate the range of numbers in use?

New clue! Lancaster changed from 0870 to 0844 this year or last year. The provider, Uni-Tel, provides a page where they will translate from the old number into the new one.

https://www.unitel.co.uk/phone/index.php/number_change.php

A previous poster mentioned that numbers were in the form 0870 754 21xx.

I've just tried some numbers:

0870 754 2100 no such number
0870 754 2198 -> 0844 308 5426
0870 754 2199 -> 0844 308 5427
0870 754 2200 -> 0844 308 5428

There's an obvious pattern there!

Another range mentioned right at the start of the thread:

0870 753 5567 -> 0844 308 5037
0870 753 5597 -> 0844 308 5067

This may be a clue to how the new numbers map to the old 0870 numbers, and the 0870 numbers might relate more clearly to geographical numbers.

When I have time this evening, I'll try lots more numbers to see if I can find the equivalent number to the one Bens_Mum is after:
0844 307 62xx

Or perhaps someone else might like to try before then!

A simple solution is to ring the University switchboard and ask to be put through to the student's internal extension or ring after hours and just follow the recorded instructions for "If you know the extension you are ringing". All students have an internal extension number that they use to ring friends for free. If it's not on their phone they need to ask the porter for it. This year my son's room phone didn't even have an external number on it; they forgot to send them out but it only took a day to get it.
So for example if the internal number was 3***5 you'd just phone the main switchboard and ask to be put through to 3***5; don't mention any names or that it's a student room.

I did try asking switchboard to put me through once and they said they couldn't transfer a call to that extension, but I'll certainly give it another go after my son goes back this weekend. I'll post the result when I've done it.  

Thanks to all who are continuing to make efforts to get 01524 numbers.  After discussing this with my son (and he has looked at the thread) he is not willing to collect numbers and I don't have the 'chutzpah' to ring and ask for numbers :-[ - though good luck to anyone willing :).

I will also try the University exchange and see if I get anywhere.

Lancaster University switchboard hours are 9-5.30, 9-5 on Thurs and Fridays, and the number is 01524-65201.  

I have phoned my son, today, using his room extension number during switchboard hours.  When I spoke to the switchboard I just asked for the 5 figure extension without saying it was a student room. Then I phoned him again on the automated system after 5.30 and this also worked.  

I will check the cost of the call when I can access it tomorrow on my BT account just to check it is a normal national number that is included in my free evening and weekend calls.  If it is not, I will post again on the forum to let people know.

Hope this is helpful.

[size=12][/size]

That's good to know. It should be a normal call - there is no way to change the cost of a call once you have been connected (if that makes sense). For example, dialling an 01 number but then being diverted to an 09 number will still cost the 01 rate to you - the divertee will have to pay the 09 cost.

Interesting that they have a five digit switchboard number - I don't think I've ever seen that before on a normal landline number...

jgxenite wrote on Jan 5^th, 2009 at 10:14pm:

Interesting that they have a five digit switchboard number - I don't think I've ever seen that before on a normal landline number...

There are still some 5 digit local prefixes with 5 digit STD codes (including leading zero) in use.

Further to my last post, I have just tried phoning my son via the University switchboard as I knew he was in his room. I asked her to put me through to the five digit extension number and she said "certainly". My hopes were dashed when somebody else answered. When I tried to ask him questions about his number, he put the phone down. If it's worked for other people, maybe it's just Cartmel College.

Perhaps she put you through to the wrong extension by accident? Just checking, but you did give her the correct internal extension number?

Good point! I've just phoned the automated service and dialed the extension number myself (definitely the one on my son's phone) and the same 'stranger' answered, the unhelpful one.

My son is in Furness College.  Did you mean that you have tried phoning Cartmel College?  

I haven't tried again yet, using the switchboard and five figure extension (the internal number), but would expect it to be ok ... will try again soon but, y'know, my son doesn't want too many of my phone calls!

Bingo!! We've cracked it, or at least we've discovered my son's number. He has now graduated but is doing a Masters, so is now in Graduate College.  He was in his room yesterday and his room phone went. It was a lady who had got the wrong number. The same thing happened twice more and it transpired she was not phoning anyone in the University but wanted a private house in Lancaster. He asked her which number she rang and then phoned me to try it. RESULT. The internal extension number on my son's phone is 58***. The geographical number is 01524 514*** (the last 3 numbers are the same). The 0844 number however has none of the numbers matching. I really hope this helps everyone.  

Bens_Mum wrote on Sep 30^th, 2009 at 9:00am:

Bingo!! We've cracked it, or at least we've discovered my son's number. He has now graduated but is doing a Masters, so is now in Graduate College.  He was in his room yesterday and his room phone went. It was a lady who had got the wrong number. The same thing happened twice more and it transpired she was not phoning anyone in the University but wanted a private house in Lancaster. He asked her which number she rang and then phoned me to try it. RESULT. The internal extension number on my son's phone is 58***. The geographical number is 01524 514*** (the last 3 numbers are the same). The 0844 number however has none of the numbers matching. I really hope this helps everyone.

That's excellent! What a stroke of luck!

I've listed this in the database for others to use.

I'm still not having any luck with this!
Recently moved into Graduate college, dial the 01524 514 and the last three digits of my internal extension number and it rings but its not my phone that's ringing!!! Any help would be appreciated for this poor student  :P

dwayland wrote on Oct 16^th, 2009 at 11:51am:

I'm still not having any luck with this! Recently moved into Graduate college, dial the 01524 514 and the last three digits of my internal extension number and it rings but its not my phone that's ringing!!! Any help would be appreciated for this poor student  :P

Are you sure that your phone is activated (assuming you need to do such a thing) and ready to receive incoming calls? If you call your 0844 number from your mobile, does your landline ring?

Have you followed the advice above from Bens_Mum? Dial 01524 514 followed by the last three digits of your extension number? Out of interest, are the last few digits of your extension number the same as or different to the last few digits of your 0844 number?

You could try putting some money onto the 0844 number via 'Dog and Bone' or one of the other pre-paid services, although it shouldn't make any difference to the geographical number. Have you tried ringing your internal extension number from another extension within the University, to check that it actually works? If you have done both of these, keep trying the number and see who eventually answers. Ask them their extension number and see if any of it matches. Without giving too much away, roughly whereabouts are you within Grad College? There are numerous different types of rooms and even houses, so maybe that's the reason it worked for us and not for you.

dwayland wrote on Oct 16^th, 2009 at 11:51am:

I'm still not having any luck with this! Recently moved into Graduate college, dial the 01524 514 and the last three digits of my internal extension number and it rings but its not my phone that's ringing!!! Any help would be appreciated for this poor student  :P

There may be more than one range of numbers in use, with a different geographical prefix. After all, the number above only gives 999 combinations (just because it's the same college doesn't mean it uses adjacent numbers). Does your internal number also begin 58***?

I know this post has been inactive for a while but it as it was very useful for me to find my geographical phone number, so I would like to add more information. To help other people to get their numbers or break the pattern.  8-)

Like Bens_Mum's son I am in Graduate College and my phone number also begins with 084430762. However, the prefix that worked for me was 01524 513 (not 01524 514, as for her), also followed by the last 3 digits of my internal extension number (like it worked for her).

So it seems that the geographical number should be:

01524 51X*** where X could be 3, 4 or other numbers; and *** are the last 3 digits of internal extension.

I'll let you know if I find out more examples with my classmates.

What might be the key to crack the pattern are the first 2 digits of the internal extension, for example Ben_Mum's son extension was 58*** and the prefix was 514. Mine is 57*** and my prefix is 513. I have tested this ringing a few classmates and it works.

So it seems the geographical number is:

for internal extensions:

- 57ABC --> 01524 513ABC
- 58ABC --> 01524 514ABC
- 9ABCD --> 01524 59ABCD (usually office numbers)

I haven't discovered the geographical number for internal extensions starting with 55 yet. I have tried 01524 51XABC with X from 0 to 9 and it does not seem to work.

ptz wrote on Oct 18^th, 2011 at 8:33pm:

What might be the key to crack the pattern are the first 2 digits of the internal extension, for example Ben_Mum's son extension was 58*** and the prefix was 514. Mine is 57*** and my prefix is 513. I have tested this ringing a few classmates and it works. So it seems the geographical number is: for internal extensions: - 57ABC --> 01524 513ABC - 58ABC --> 01524 514ABC - 9ABCD --> 01524 59ABCD (usually office numbers) I haven't discovered the geographical number for internal extensions starting with 55 yet. I have tried 01524 51XABC with X from 0 to 9 and it does not seem to work.

Hello and welcome to SAYNOTO0870.COM.

Thanks for posting this; it should help others with the same query.

Something else for you to try:

All number prefixes are allocated to a particular communications provider. For example, 07802 is O2. The same is true of geographic numbers.

01524 51 is Your Communications and 01524 59 is BT. The office system and residential halls system may be provided by different companies which would explain why they use geographic numbers allocated to different operators.

For this reason, I'd focus on looking for the numbers in the Your Communications blocks prefixed with the Lancaster STD code which are: 50, 51, 52.


You've shown how the internal extensions map to the geographic numbers; could you show how the 08 numbers relate to them as well? This will help people dialling in who don't know the extension number, but do know the 08 number.