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SAYNOTO0870.COM › Main Forum › Geographical Numbers Chat › Ofcom consultation: Geographic number conservation

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Ofcom consultation: Geographic number conservation (Read 27,973 times)

idb

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Re: Ofcom consultation: Geographic number conserva
Reply #30 - Dec 7^th, 2009 at 11:10pm

irrelevant wrote on Dec 7^th, 2009 at 3:32pm:

idb wrote on Dec 7^th, 2009 at 3:08am:

catj wrote on Dec 6^th, 2009 at 11:20pm:

The trick in the allocation of area codes is that a single code needs to cover a fairly wide geographical area. It would be crazy for one city to be divided up by multiple codes. The US has that nightmare scenario in place.

I'm far from convinced that the system here is such a nightmare. Within a thirty or so mile radius of where I lived in the UK, the area codes 01892, 01622, 01634, 01732, 01689, 020, 01322 and 01959 were in use, possibly along with others (memory has faded a little). This really is no different to say the situation in New York city with its five area codes serving a population of eight or so million. At least the system here is consistent and understandable with fixed-length area codes and a standard format.

Google just told me: New York — Area Code: 212, 315, 347, 516, 518, 585, 607, 631, 646, 716, 718, 845, 914, 917

So, I'd think that it's a pretty good bet that anybody living there is almost certain to have to dial the full 1-nnn-nnn-nnnn for virtually every number they need to call.

New York State (pop 20m, area around 60% the size of the UK) does indeed have 14 area codes, covering POTS, cellular and VOIP. New York City, pop 8m, area around 75% the size of Greater London) has 5 area codes, again covering various types of numbering. I'm pretty sure that Greater London has more than five area codes.

Generally, there are three dialing patterns in the US - 7D, 10D and 1+10D, depending on overlays, splits and what is defined as a local call area. I maintain that this is extremely straightforward - the first few pages of a typical telephone directory will make it crystal clear what one needs to dial, and what is considered a 'local' call, which is important as local calls from a residential line are often free. Intercept messages may, depending on location, actually tell you what to do if you get it wrong.

« Last Edit: Dec 7^th, 2009 at 11:11pm by idb »

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idb

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Re: Ofcom consultation: Geographic number conserva
Reply #31 - Dec 7^th, 2009 at 11:42pm

catj wrote on Dec 7^th, 2009 at 10:50am:

Numbers in the US might be written in a consistent format, like xxx xxx xxx or +1 xxx xxx xxxx, but that's where the simplicity ends.

For the number xxx xxx xxxx; within some states you can still dial just xxx xxxx for local numbers within your own area. Within some areas, you cannot dial local calls as xxx xxxx, you instead have to dial the full xxx xxx xxxx numbers. In some areas if you dial the full xxx xxx xxxx number for a local call, the call fails.

For adjacent area codes, sometimes you can dial xxx xxx xxxx and other times you have to dial 1 xxx xxx xxxx adding the 1 prefix. Sometimes you can dial either, other times one or the other will fail to connect or will end up connected to the wrong person.

From mobile phones, I believe that there are other changes in what you have to dial, especially concerning when to dial a 1 or not.

[...]

True, but I still maintain it is very straightforward with either 7D, 10D or 1+10D configurations. Any given phone book will generally describe exactly what you need to dial to get any given number, and detail what will be considered 'local' (ie usually free), 'extended area' (in some cases) and 'long distance' - for billing purposes.

While I can't give an absolute answer for all cellular providers, I do not believe there is any ambiguity when calling from cellular devices due to the numbers being parsed before the call is established.

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Dave Global Moderator Offline Posts: 9,902 Yorkshire Gender:	Re: Ofcom consultation: Geographic number conserva Reply #32 - Jan 10^th, 2010 at 12:09pm This is a reminder to anyone who wishes to respond to this consultation, that it closes tomorrow.
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