Closure of ‘Local Dialling’ for Aberdeen (01224), Bradford (01274), Brighton (01273), Middlesborough (01642) and Milton Keynes (01908)

As of October 1st 2014 people living in these areas will need to type in the area code for any number they call. Even if you’re ringing a friend over the road the area code will be needed! This is due to the areas gradually running out of numbers to be given out.

Without dialling the area code first you may not be put  through to the person you expected!!

No disruption is due on the day but we’d advise you to get into the habit of dialling the area codes now before the changeover occurs.

Changes to provision and fault appointments

Previously if you have needed an Openreach engineer appointment, either for a fault or a line install, you have only been able to have an AM or PM slot (8am – 1pm and 1pm – 6pm). This can be difficult if your business works 9-5 or if you are opening a new site that is not yet staffed as you have to make provision to have people on site for the full appointment time slot.

In addition to the standard AM or PM appointment slots, Openreach will now also be offering some narrower time slots for an additional charge, such as ‘Late Morning’ for sites that aren’t staffed from 8am.

 

084, 087, 09 Number Change

As of 13th June telephone numbers starting with the prefixes 084, 087 and 09 (such as 0845, 0843, 0871, 0872 and 09 numbers) cannot be used to provide customer service and complaint lines! This is due to a change in legislation that says customers should not pay anymore than the basic rate for non-geographic calls.

When a trader runs a telephone line used for customers to contact them about existing contracts they have with the trader, they should not pay anymore than the basic rate. Traders may still use ’08’ numbers but must offer an alternative.

One fairly simple alternative is to simply change over the ’08’ for an ’03’ number.
(eg 0845 123 1234 would now be 0345 123 1234)

Contact us on 0333 240 9100 for more details!