Summary
You can view Ofcom's summary of these proposals here, or alternatively view the full proposals by downloading the 1.6mb pdf file here. For ease of reading, below are the main proposals outlined by Ofcom:-

Geographical (landline) Numbers

Not much change transparent to us consumers. Ofcom plan on allocating new telephone numbers in blocks of 1,000 instead of the current 10,000 to telephone providers like BT, Telewest, NTL, etc.

Possible suggestion to Ofcom: None

Countrywide numbers - a new range of Non-Geographical Numbers

Ofcom propose to introduce a new range of non-geographical numbers beginning 03x. This new range of numbers will have the same benefits to companies/government departments like the existing 084x/087x numbers have but instead of not being included in any inclusive minutes (except a few mobile contracts) and charged extra upto 10ppm (eg 0871x numbers), ofcom propose to make this new 03x number range the same cost as existing geographicals (numbers beginning 01x or 02x). It is hoped that these new numbers will also be included in any inclusive free minutes you may have.

Possible suggestion to Ofcom: Will Ofcom ensure that telephone providers include this new range in any inclusive minutes and therefore free?

New range for Personal (follow-me-anywhere) numbers

Ofcom propose to introduce a new range for Personal (follow-me-anywhere) numbers. Currently these numbers begin with 070 but because they can be very easily confused (and often are) with mobile numbers that begin with 077x, 078x or 079x, Ofcom have proposed to move these existing Personal numbers to the 06x range instead and introducing a cap of 20ppm. Currently the existing range of Personal numbers can cost anywhere upto 50ppm from a BT landline (maybe more from other telephone providers).

Possible suggestion to Ofcom: Will Ofcom ensure that companies that are using these Personal (follow-me-anywhere) numbers to gain revenue (eg stealth premium rate) to move to relevant 09x numbers that were specifically designed for this purpose?

Mobile Numbers

Ofcom propose to make 07x numbers exclusively for mobile phones and move the existing 070x personal numbers over to 06x (see above).

Possible suggestion to Ofcom: None.

Freephone Services

Ofcom propose to enforce that 0800x and 0808x are freephone from landline providers. Unfortunately these freephone numbers can be chargable from mobile networks and often are.

Possible suggestion to Ofcom: None.

Special (chargable) Services

Ofcom propose that overtime, to make it clearer the cost of calling these 084x/087x number ranges by introducing new number ranges like 0841x which would be cheaper than say 0845x. Currently these number ranges are used by most government departments and big companies and in some cases the company using these number ranges actually earns a revenue from us ringing them. These current number ranges can often be described as mini premium rate number and are not subject to safeguards provided by ICSTIS.

Possible suggestion to Ofcom: Does Ofcom still plan on introducing their recommended suggestions as mentioned in the last consultation, "NTS: A Way Forward" Consultation like removing the revenue share (hidden premium) from 0870 numbers, and over time, to 0845 numbers as well?

Premium Rate Numbers

Ofcom propose that overtime, to make it clearer to consumers the cost of calling these premium rate numbers and introducing new number ranges like 0901x which would be cheaper to call than 0908x. In fact similar proposals to the 084x/087x Special Services number ranges (see above). These number ranges are subject to safeguards provided by ICSTIS.

Possible suggestion to Ofcom: None.

To return to main consultation page where you can respond to this consultation click here, or if you have more questions then please feel free to post your query in this thread.