Phone Numbers 08 Numbers

Mobitel, a Bulgarian mobile operator, has taken a popular memorable number out of action. The 0888 888 888 phone number has been deemed a ‘jinxed’ number.

The 08 number was taken out of circulation after it emerged that its three previous owners had all died – this is the ‘The Ring’ video of the mobile world. No doubt we’ll be seeing it across cinemas soon.

First to go was Vladimir Grashnov who died of cancer. In an ironic twist, Grashnov was a former CEO of Mobitel. Second to go was Konstantin Dimitrov who bought the phone number. Dimitrov was a mafia boss who was gunned down. Thirdly was drug baron Konstantin Dishliev who was also gunned down. Despite the fact that two of these deaths were more than likely on the cards anyway, it seems that Bulgaria is taking no chances. Not that I blame them.

Ofcom, the UK telecoms regulator, has issued a ‘Call for Input’ concerning non-geographic phone numbers. Non-geographic phone numbers include phone numbers that begin with 03, 070, 08, 09 and 118.

Non-geographic phone numbers, aka NGNs, are used to offer a wide range of services to callers. Ofcom wants to take a look at the current regulations concerning NGNs and the companies that use and provide them. Asking for input, Ofcom will decide, once input is in, whether or not to re-think and adapt existing regulations to replace them with new ones.

…Elite sent to me-

Three NGNs,
Two Swyx systems,
And a way to queue my calls effect-ively!

With Non Geographic Numbers (NGNs) from Elite Telecom you can give your phone number a boost as well as your business. Why not use 0800 numbers to give your customers a Christmas treat of free calls to your business? Or use memorable NGNs to make sure you’re the first number that comes to mind!

The European Commission have closed down over 50 websites and corrected over a hundred more after investigating 300 sites that offered mobile ringtones. The move comes after an 18 month crackdown on websites that showed three particular problems – unclear pricing, incomplete trader information and misleading advertising. Three quarters of the websites investigated lacked contact information for the traders.

After numerous complaints by consumers in the EU and particularly parents, the EU decided on the 18 month crackdown. Many of the scam websites particularly targeted children, offered ‘free’ ringtones and used premium rate phone numbers. Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva said in response that “parents should not find nasty surprises in their phone bill, when their children by accident have signed up to more than they have bargained for."

With the new Ofcom rules meaning that customers are more aware of hidden phone charges and also charging companies for their 08 numbers, Opal fears that many SMEs could face higher phone bills due to not being able to comply with the rules in time. This is why Elite have been urging their customers for months to plan for the new Ofcom rules. With forward planning, SMEs won’t have to suffer a debilitating hike in phone bills. And people say that the news is all doom and gloom these days.  They're obviously not reading closely enough.