The 050 range has already been reviewed.

The decision (published by Ofcom on 3 June 2014) was for this range to be withdrawn on 3 June 2017.

Existing users have been offered the matching 0808 5 number for migration. The new number is one digit longer than the old number but retains the final six digits of the old number.

A thorough review of 055, 056, 070 and 076 is coming, but is not imminent. An evaluation of the recent changes to 08, 09 and 118 will be first, along with any further changes that may need to be made. There are several that spring to mind, not least reversing the decision to allow providers such as BT to selectively include 0845 and 0870 in standard inclusive call packages.

The issues with 055 and 056 are relatively straightforward. The simplest solution would be to migrate these numbers to the 03 range and apply the same pricing principles.

The issues with 076 are also minor. Pager usage has diminished. Perhaps it's time to consolidate remaining users into the 0767x, 0768x and 0769x ranges, freeing up the remainder of 076 for other uses? Mobile numbers allocated in Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man are non-inclusive and charged at a different rate. The prefix allocations are very random. Perhaps those could be migrated to 0760x or 0763x for Jersey, 0761x for Guernsey and 0762x for Isle of Man. The latter already uses 07624 for mobile phones.

The 070 range is going to cause the most issues. The whole concept of a premium service where the called party enjoys advanced call-forwarding facilities and these are paid for entirely by the caller through non-transparent charges now stands at odds with the 'unbundled' tariff system that applies to 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers.

Some may call for 070 call prices to be unbundled. I say a more radical approach is needed and this range should be closed with users providing premium services offered migration to the matching 097 number. Other services should be withdrawn. All landline and mobile numbers have comprehensive call-forwarding facilities. All 03, 08 and 09 numbers are simply call-forwarding systems. I see no place for a specific 'personal' numbering service especially where it is funded by callers paying additional charges. Additionally, Hospedia's business model is based on a rip-off and non-transparent call charges. They need to move to a premium number range and properly inform users of the Service Charge, else change their business model.

It would be interesting to see a breakdown of what the 070 range is used for - how many numbers are used by 'personal numbering services' in the classic sense, how many are used by Hospedia and other such systems, how many are used by second-hand car trading magazines and websites, and how many are used for other things. If a consultation is coming in the next year or so, I suspect that Ofcom are already gathering this sort of information in preparation.

Hi CJT 80.

Go to https://www.telecom-tariffs.co.uk/codelook.htm enter the Hospedia allocated code 070813

Click on look up number.

Click on PN2.

Then click on Compare All Residential Call Costs:      All Week

To see how extremely expensive these calls can become.Depending on your operator.