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In the late 1990s, the demand for numbers was relentless and continued to outstrip supply. Six cities were to have both code and number changes. The examples below show the new 02 codes and illustrate the structure of the 8-digit local numbers. |
Following on from PhONEday, The Big Number implemented the '02' prefix code and recommendations for use of the other new codes '03-09.'
The Codes
Key dates for '02' code and number changes:
Tuesday 1st June 1999 - Parallel running began for National Numbers only.
Saturday 22nd April 2000 - Old Local Numbers would only work with old National Codes.
August - October 2000 - Old codes and numbers were phased out.
In London
Remember when you dialled 01 for London and the whole area was covered by a single code? Then came the 071/081 split into inner and outer London, followed by (0171) and (0181) - all with brackets. So finally, after 14th October 2000, London again had a single code of (020).
The Big Number Changes:
The code and number format (0171) 123 4567 became (020) 7123 4567
and (0181) 123 4567 became (020) 8123 4567
London once again had a unified code across the capital.
Other Cities
Portsmouth (01705) 123456 became (023) 9212 3456
Southampton (01703) 123456 became (023) 8012 3456
Coventry (01203) 123456 became (024) 7612 3456
Cardiff (01222) 123456 became (029) 2012 3456
Northern Ireland (e.g.Belfast) (01232) 123456 became (028) 9012 3456
N.B. All codes in Northern Ireland changed, Belfast was simply one example.
And Finally
Since the PhONEday 01 code changes in April 1995, OFTEL had been considering how best to use the extra capacity of the 02-09 prefixes. At the time of writing (2000) was much controversy in the allocations, and the proposals of the time were subject to change as the plans were finalised. For a summary of the codes 00 to 09 click here (to be updated).
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