Hi.  I was just wondering if anyone knows an alternative number for the student accomodation at the University of Essex as I am currently spending a fortune calling on an 0870 number.  Any help would be much appreciated, thanks :-)

The address is:

University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester CO4 3SQ

The current phone number is:

08702930000

Can we have some more information on this?

The 0870, is this one number which answers and then you dial the room you require? Or is there a block of numbers which a direct dial to each individual room?

We have far more chance of finding a block of geographical numbers which have the same ending as the 0870 (and/or ext no).

Is there a web link to more information about the phone system? Do you know who runs it?

It's one number and you add an extension number when you get through.  The only relevant web page I have found from the uni pages is out of date - it still quotes the old system before the 0870 one was introduced.  that address, if it's of any use, is http://www2.essex.ac.uk/phonebook/
I hope this helps.

wrote on Apr 16^th, 2005 at 11:55am:

It's one number and you add an extension number when you get through.  ....

Unfortunately we may have more chance of finding a needle in a haystack!

Presumably each extension doesn't have a geographical alternative because there is no need. The 0870 [may] translate to a geographical number which is then answered.

This practice is even more deceiptful, as premiums are being made even when a phone rings unanswered.

Oh well, thank you anyway for your response.

Hi,
I had this exact same problem when I was at Uni (not Essex tho). A private company managed the phones but I eventually found the number to dial to bypass it, which began with the area STD code (01782 in my case) and our four-digit extension number. You could dial this extension interanally from other rooms, but appeared at the end of the number you dialled from outside Not sure if it works similarly at Essex, presumably it would begin with 01206 as that's the Colchester code?
Hope this is of some use - and best of luck with beating the scam 0870s!
Regards
Chris.

How did you find out the other two digits though?

wrote on Apr 18^th, 2005 at 10:00am:

Hi, I had this exact same problem when I was at Uni (not Essex tho). A private company managed the phones but I eventually found the number to dial to bypass it, which began with the area STD code (01782 in my case) and our four-digit extension number.

This works when there is a separate 0870 number for each room, but for Essex there is just one 0870 number, which is answered by a computerised attendant who then takes the extension number. (As Dave has pointed out, this means they make money even if  the person you are phoning doesn't answer).

The 0870 number was introduced at Essex at the start of this academic year. Before then, the numbers were 01206 53****. The new system most probably utilises voice over IP, and finding the geographical alternative to the 0870 number (if there is one) is very unlikely without inside information.

wrote on Apr 19^th, 2005 at 9:50am:

The new system most probably utilises voice over IP, and finding the geographical alternative to the 0870 number (if there is one) is very unlikely without inside information.

It may not even be anything as sophisticated as VoIP; it could be the case that the system uses an internal exchange which has extensions that do not have direct incoming phone lines (i.e. the situation with some companies where you have to ask an operator at the company's switchboard to put you through to a particular extension).

Edit: (a quick note to say that the Essex phone system definitely runs over VoIP if the telecom provider is called Keycom).

for university of essex call the university number which is Telephone: +44 (0) 1206 873333 and type in the room extension. it should work. it worked for me. the extension is the same extension dialed when calling te 08702930000 number. however this only works when the university switch board is closed. i think its closed after 5.00PM Essex time. if u call during business hours someone picks up and u can not dial an extension.
let me know what happens.
good luck guys..