Ofcom has recently launched a consultation in which it proposes that the 0500 number range should be withdrawn. There would be a two year implementation period.

It has been closed to new allocations since 2001 but numbers that were already allocated to customers can continue to be used.

The number of active 0500 numbers has been declining over several years. The volume of calls to 0500 numbers is only a small fraction of the number of call minutes to 080 numbers (and of volumes on some of the other non-geographic number ranges like 0845), and a very large proportion of 0500 calls are to a small group of numbers operated by fewer than 30 organisations. Consumer awareness and understanding of the 0500 range is very poor compared to other non-geographic number ranges.

Shock! Horror! Some 11 years after no new allocations were allowed in the 0500 range, not many numbers are in use within it, consumers aren't all that aware of it, and there are very few calls to it.

Seems kinda obvious dunnit?

Ofcom recently said they didn't want to force number changes on businesses, hence the area code now needing to be dialled on geographic calls where local numbers beginning 0 or 1 are in use in those areas, but here they are only a few months later now wanting some businesses to change their numbers.

There is one highly prominent user of 0500 909693.

This is used for general contact and all phone-ins.

Because the number is memorable, consisting of its 2 frequencies, it will naturally be very reluctant to give it up.

Perhaps the inconvenience to listeners caused by a change of number could be mitigated if this was combined with a general move away from 084 numbers, across BBC Radio in particular. The local radio stations which still use 0845 numbers do have the option of the 0345 equivalents, which is sadly not available to Five Live.

SilentCallsVictim wrote on Oct 27^th, 2012 at 12:47am:

There is one highly prominent user of 0500 909693.

I can think of a few more  ;)

BBC Radio 2 Phone Ins . 0500 288 291 also consisting of their two frequencies.

Crimewatch UK 0500 600 600 .

National Savings .http://www.nsandi.com/contact-us  use both 0500 007 007 and 0500 500 000.

Screwfix 0500 41 41 41  :)

Good to see that there are many, again with memorable numbers that have a value to users and callers.

Obviously we would not have wished to start from where we are, but an interesting question is posed:

Is it right that users of, and callers to, these numbers, albeit relatively few of them, should have to suffer the inconvenience (and in the former case, possibly considerable cost) of a number change, for the sake of tidying up the numbering plan?

This is not an easy matter for Ofcom to resolve. That is undoubtedly why it has been dodging it for too long.

I believe that we are right to criticise Ofcom for having not dealt with it (and the others now being addressed) earlier, but must applaud its new-found willingness to get to grips with them.

For goodness sake Ofcom, a 64-page consultation! Look, just let 0500 continue and let 08050 (or whatever) run in parallel, ad infinitum. Companies can update their publicity gradually when they are able.