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The closing of local dialling allows subscriber numbers beginning with '0' to be allocated in future. As a consequence, all telephone calls (local and national) will need to be dialled with the both the code and number. Number only calls will no longer be allowed. |
Local dialling is to make a call by keying only the telephone number, without the need for a prefix code. Historically this applied to 'own exchange' and 'linked numbering scheme' calls as most of the routes were hard wired into the system and this also obviated the need to route the calls via 'GRACE' ( Subscriber Trunk Dialling equipment). In the digital age, codes and routings are predominantly software programmed and can be easily manipulated to create new rules or routings.
In the days when British Telecom had a monoploy (early 1980s), it managed the supply and recovery of numbers for every telephone exchange. Bulk recoveries of 'stopped' (not in use) numbers released them for re-used after a set period, thus minimising the need to continually issue new numbers.
In the current competitive environment, Ofcom is responsible for managing the allocation of numbers and consequently issues very large blocks of new numbers to each CP (Communications Provider). Throughout the industry, the recovery of 'stopped' numbers is low priority and with so many 'players', and customers regularly changing supplier, then inevitably many numbers get 'lost' in the systems and can't be reused. As the take-up of new numbers with each supplier can't be predicted, then a large percentage of numbers is often not being used, as numbers aren't freely moved between suppliers.
Under section 63(1) of the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom has a duty to encourage the most appropriate and efficient use of telephone numbers. It is likely that future allocations of new numbers may be chargeable to each CP.
Closing Local Dialling
Inevitably the demand for new numbers continues above the actual need. One solution to increase the available numbers is to allow the use of telephone numbers beginning with '0'. As this clashes with the code prefix for national calls, then all calls to and from the chosen exchanges have to be dialled with both the national code and the number. i.e. number only calls cannot be allowed. As many calls originate from mobile phones and/or are programmed into number stores then the perceived change is hardly noticeable.
Ofcom: "We need to safeguard the future supply of landline numbers in (geographical example) area code to ensure that a shortage of new numbers does not restrict the choice of telecoms providers and services available to local consumers and businesses."
Geographical Areas and Codes
On 1st November 2012 Ofcom closed local dialling in the Bournemouth code area (01202), which included Poole and Christchurch.
On 1st October 2014 Ofcom closed local dialling in five code areas:
Aberdeen (01224) and the area to the west, including towns such as Westhill.
Bradford (01274) and the surrounding areas such as Baildon, Bingley, Cleckheaton and Shipley.
Brighton (01273) and Hove, as well as places such as Lewes, Newhaven, Peacehaven and Southwick.
Middlesbrough (01642) and surrounding places such as Stockton, Redcar, Stokesley and Yarm.
Milton Keynes (01908) and Bletchley, Newport Pagnell and an area to the north as far as Ravenstone.
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