03 numbers

03 numbers are non-geographic telephone numbers that were announced by UK communications regulator, Ofcom, in February 2007, with allocation starting in March 2007. cite news | url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2007/02/nr_20070213b | title=Ofcom introduces UK-wide 03 numbers | publisher=Ofcom | date=2007-02-13 | accessdate=2008-08-07 ] cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4743876.stm | title=New 03 number for phones proposed | publisher=BBC | date=2007-02-23 | accessdate=2008-08-07 ] They are formally known as "UK-wide numbers" and have been introduced as an alternative to 08 numbers, such as 087x and 084x numbers.

03 numbers offer the same benefits as all non-geographic numbers; including call divert, call queuing and call statistics.Fact|date=August 2008

Call costs

Unlike 08 numbers, 03 numbers cost the same to call as geographic landline numbers (starting 01 and 02), even from a mobile phone. They are also included as part of inclusive call minutes and discount schemes from all major mobile phone and landline operators.

The practise of revenue sharing (where the dialled party receives a share of the cost of the call) is not permitted with 03 numbers (unlike 08 numbers).

Cost comparisons

Number ranges

There are a range of numbers available for use by specific people or organisations: [ cite web | url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/numberingcpt/forms/s3form.pdf | title=Form S3 (UK-wide application - numbers starting '03') | publisher=Ofcom | accessdate=2008-08-07 ]

*030 numbers "(0300 - 0309)" - specifically designated for public bodies and not-for-profit organisations.
*033 numbers "(0330 - 0339)" - available for any person, business or organisation.
*03 migration numbers "(034x, 037x)" - only available for migration from an existing 08 number or range (084x and 087x).

03 numbers in healthcare

In December 2006, Lord Norman Warner sent a letter to all Primary Care Trust Chief Executives drawing attention to the Central Office of Information guidance on telephone numbering, which suggested that healthcare providers consider adopting an 03 telephone number so that people "do not have to pay over the odds to contact their local services". [ cite paper | url=http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Lettersandcirculars/Dearcolleagueletters/DH_064287?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=71906&Rendition=Web | title=Use of non-geographical (084) telephone numbers to contact NHS services | author=Norman Warner | publisher=Department of Health | date=2006-12-19 | accessdate=2008-08-07 ] [ cite news | url=http://www.ehiprimarycare.com/News/2382/practices_encouraged_to_use_new_03_numbers | title=Practices encouraged to use new 03 numbers | publisher=E-Health Insider Primary Care | date=2007-01-03 | accessdate=2008-08-07 ]

Since then, there has been much discussion in the media about the use of 0844 numbers in the healthcare sector, mainly due to the costs incurred by people who have to dial these numbers as the primary form of contact with their local healthcare services. [ cite news | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article2120932.ece | title=Why it will cost more to phone your GP | author=David Rose | publisher=The Times | date=2007-07-23 | accessdate=2008-08-07 ] [ cite news | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article3941474.ece | title=Hospitals make money on patient phone calls | author=David Rose | publisher=The Times | date=2008-05-16 | accessdate=2008-08-07 ] [ cite news | url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-528602/Patients-charged-40p-minute-family-doctors.html | title=Patients charged up to 40p a minute to call family doctors | author=James Tozer | publisher=Daily Mail | date=2008-03-08 | accessdate=2008-08-07 ] [ cite news | url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/07/13/patients-making-calls-to-book-an-appointment-at-a-surgery-are-being-charged-at-least-five-times-the-normal-rate-through-expensive-phone-lines-91466-21331399/ | title=The great GP phone rip-off | author=Gavin O'Connor | publisher=Wales On Sunday | date=2008-07-13 | accessdate=2008-08-07 ]

Health Secretary Alan Johnson has also publicly advocated the use of 03 numbers. [ cite news | url=http://www.ehiprimarycare.com/news/3545/johnson_steps_up_pressure_on_0844_numbers | title=Johnson steps up pressure on 0844 numbers | publisher=E-Health Insider Primary Care | date=2008-03-11 | accessdate=2008-08-07 ] Windsor Telecom has also published the first ever 0300 number guide for the healthcare sector. [ cite news | url=http://www.commsbusiness.co.uk/News_Article_JS.cfm?NewsID=5646 | title=Guide to 0300 Numbers Published | publisher=Comms Business | date=2008-07-09 | accessdate=2008-08-07 ]

References