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FOI Response - Ofcom:
1 - What involvement did Ofcom have, prior to the explosions in London on July 7, 2005, in planning for the telecommunication aspects of providing the casualty bureau?
None.
2 - Was there any prior liaison between Ofcom, PITO, The Home Office, the Metropolitan Police and any other relevant government departments and organizations?
No.
3 - Did Ofcom have any advance notice that the London Casualty Bureau number would use an 0870 number and if not, when did Ofcom first become aware that the 0870 number was being used?
No. We first became aware when the number began to be issued to the public via the media.
4 - After becoming aware of the 0870 number being used, did Ofcom make any representation to either PITO, the Metropolitan Police, the Home Office or any other relevant organization about the inappropriate use of such a number?
Yes. We contacted Met, PITO and Home Office in that order to say that this was inappropriate.
5 - Did Ofcom point out the problems that international callers may have experienced in attempting to contact a non-geographic number?
Yes.
6 - What steps is Ofcom taking such that a future incident (plane crash, terrorism, major accident etc) does not use a non-geographic number for international callers?
We have reiterated our guidance on the use of NTS numbers; additionally, we are recommending that toll-free plus geographic should be the best practice route for these kind of emergency helplines.
7 - How many complaints, wither by telephone, fax. email or mail has Ofcom received regarding the use of an 0870 number for this incident?
5 complaints have been logged to date
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