On Ofcom's statement page for the recent Numbering Review consultation there is a link to another page about 0300 numbering and which bodies are eligible for a number here.

No further information is available on there about other prefixes like the one suggested for 0870 migration (0370).

[edit]I stand corrected! See bbb_uk's post below.[/edit]

Dave wrote on Dec 19^th, 2006 at 4:31pm:

No further information is available on there about other prefixes like the one suggested for 0870 migration (0370).

NGMsGhost mentioned here that it was on page 130 of the Numbering Review statement (.pdf).

A summary as follows:-

0300:	UK-wide services at a geographic rate: to be used by public sector bodies and not-for-profit bodies, calls charged at up to the same rate the customer would pay to call to a Geographic Number, with calls to 03 numbers counting towards inclusive call minutes if the customer has remaining inclusive minutes to Geographic Numbers, and included in any discount structures that apply to Geographic Numbers
0303:	UK-wide services at a geographic rate: calls charged at up to the same rate the customer would pay to call a Geographic Number, with calls to 03 numbers counting towards inclusive call minutes if the customer has remaining inclusive minutes to Geographic Numbers, and included in any discount structures that apply to Geographic Numbers
0344/0345:	UK-wide services at a geographic rate: migrating numbers from 0844/0845, calls charged at up to the same rate the customer would pay to call a Geographic Number, with calls to 03 numbers counting towards inclusive call minutes if the customer has remaining inclusive minutes to Geographic Numbers, and included in any discount structures that apply to Geographic Numbers
0370/0371:	UK-wide services at a geographic rate: migrating numbers from 0870/0871, calls charged at up to the same rate the customer would pay to call a Geographic Number, with calls to 03 numbers counting towards inclusive call minutes if the customer has remaining inclusive minutes to Geographic Numbers, and/or included in any discount structures that apply to Geographic Numbers

Obviously it was missed because of the long statement (170pages+) and the other many statements and consultations there have been on this.

I'm trying to avoid the work of reading all the detail and would just like clarification. Am I right in assuming they are all effectively the same and that if you have a fully inclusive package none will have any cost. If true then that is ideal for my circumstances.

Now thinking of others who aren't on inclusive packages the words 'up to' worried me. Will it be clear what they are being charged? At least whatever they are being charged, if it is not more than a geo rate that is clear and therefore good news.

The biggest problem currently is that people believe the 087x/084x are something they are not and no amount of education will get around that now as it is too ingrained, hence the abuse and also the unintentional misguidance (but it is the same as a local call!). This will get rid of that problem won't it?

When will all this happen or is it just a discussion?

Keith wrote on Dec 19^th, 2006 at 7:08pm:

I'm trying to avoid the work of reading all the detail and would just like clarification. Am I right in assuming they are all effectively the same and that if you have a fully inclusive package none will have any cost.

Yes, if you have a inclusive (geographical call package it will be included.  For those that don't, it will be charged the same as a normal geographical number unlike existing 084x/087x numbers which are charged extra for.

However, don't expect companies to change to these numbers as they will be reluctant simply because it's very possible that any company/government department/organisation using this new number range will themselves have to pay x amount per minute for calls they receive (no extra cost to us however).  This on it's own is likely to put them off migrating when they can use an 0845 which many people still think it's 'local' rate for which they (in most cases) don't have to pay an incoming call fee.

Public pressure may force government departments to use them but they will also be reluctant as it will cost them more than their existing 084x/087x number now and they will lose revenue share they get (in most cases) from their existing 084x/087x number.

Also just to prove the pure folly of Ofcom's plan most public bodies won't be on 0300 at all but on 0345 or 0370 as they will be migrating an existing NGN number that they wish to retain the next 7 digits for.  To do this they have to move to 0345 or 0370.

Only brand new public sector numbers with no 0845 or 0870 predecessor will be on 0300.

As ever another Ofcom triumph of supreme confusion and consumer bamboozlement (to use one of dorf's favourite words)