what are 03 numbers?

03 numbers are the fastest growing section of the Non-Geographical marketplace and were introduced by

So, what are 03 numbers?.

These are non-geographical numbers that can be dialled from overseas and are free from mobiles as long as you do not go over the talk time package.

03 numbers have been introduced by Ofcom in March 2007 and its main objectives were as follows:

It has six main proposals:

Create a new countrywide number range – 03 – which would be charged to the consumer at the same rate as calling a geographic number. Organisations requiring a national presence would be able to use this range without charging consumers a premium for contacting them; and calls to 03 numbers could be included in any inclusive or low-cost call packages offered by landline or mobile phone companies.

Introduce a new consumer protection test to the allocation system, which would deny numbers to providers who have previously abused consumer trust and might do so again through their involvement in telephone scams.

Introduce a new 06 number range for personalised number services. Over time this new number range would replace the current 070 personal numbers, and both the old and new numbers would have a price ceiling. Many consumers confuse 070 numbers with mobile numbers (which also begin with 07), leading to the potential for abuse and scams. The use of 06 numbers would remove confusion, strengthen consumer protection, and allow the 07 number range to be uniquely identified with mobile services.

Simplify the structure of the 08 range used for chargeable services. Ofcom plans to band new numbers by price and type of service to develop an association in the consumer's mind that the lower the digit that follows 08 the lower the price in that range. For example, calls to a number beginning 082 would be charged at a lower rate than those to a number beginning 089.

Simplify the structure of 09 premium rate service numbers in a similar way to 08, by making different groups of 09 numbers represent different prices and services. This would also enable consumers to bar specific types of 09 numbers.

Introduce a new allocation system to avoid changes to geographic numbers in the future. Ofcom wants to encourage providers to use the numbers available in blocks already allocated to them as efficiently as possible and is consulting on principles for a new administrative pricing system (at a nominal cost). It also proposes to allocate more numbers in smaller blocks of one thousand instead of ten thousand, to maximise supply.