Phone Numbers 08 Numbers

Sometimes we think that advanced technological minds much prefer to sit and ponder the future of technology rather than actually fuel it. Some tech watchers are now saying that the end for phone numbers is nigh and it’s all thanks to the more convenient juggling of IP based telecoms and social networking.

With predictions declaring that the beloved phone number may have less than five years left in circulation before becoming obsolete, or facing severe decline, Nikhyl Singhal, co-founder and chief executive of voice-application startup SayNow, stated that people have lost the importance of the traditional phonecall, and kids are growing up without ever having to pick up a Yellow Pages.

He blames the wonder of social interaction over the internet, saying that the advantages of such methods far outweigh the traditional phone call, e.g. being able to send out group messages on Facebook.

VoIP services such as Skype are also adding to the vulnerability of the phone number, which offer cheaper calls than landlines.



 

 

 

 

 

 

We don’t believe in the demise of the phone number, as we think they will always be essential for businesses and a company's image, especially with regards to freephone numbers and other non-geographic numbers. However, whether this will soon be adopted by companies via VoIP rather than a traditional phone system is relatively unknown. (But there are lots of predictions).

Singhal says smartphones will be the essential communication device for contacting people however, but instead of punching numbers, users will be able to contact their friends through their social network accounts as accessed via their phones.

What do you think?

0800 numbers have been splashed all over our news recently, and as a result, have dominated our company pages. Their popularity soared (but for the wrong reasons) when independent regulator Ofcom brought the cost of calling the supposed ‘free phone number’ from a mobile phone to the attention of the public – not many people knew that this can actually cost up to 40p a minute.

Ofcom has announced plans to try and change this, but at the expense of businesses and charities, who are questioning where their revenue is going to come from.

08 phone numbers are commonly referred to as non-geographic numbers – or ‘NGN’s’ (for anyone who’s not a telecoms expert) but what advantages do 0800 numbers hold for businesses in light of these new changes?



 

 

 

 

Sure you’re paying for the cost of the call, but the return investment from having a freephone number can prove to be invaluable.

Unlike 0844 numbers or 0845 numbers, 0800 numbers are free for your caller, and the business providing the number has to pay for that call per minute. On a customer service level, this is unbeatable marketing for any company, it will also ensure you receive more calls than your competitors who may be charging.

It gives no clue as to your location, hence the term 'NGN,' so will enable your business to operate on a national level, this is especially important to small businesses who may want to appear larger.

0800 numbers also have other benefits aside from being free for your caller, 08 numbers can generally be routed anywhere, as you are not tied to a particular telephone line. Meaning you can work from home, and generally have more freedom outside of your four office walls.

NGN numbers can also be used with other services and products, such as call recording, and call queuing – which allows businesses to analyse and measure their successes, identify areas of weakness and offer serviceable improvements.

But how do you buy 0800 numbers? It’s simple, give us a call, or send us a web request and we’ll find a solution for you.

We recently brought you news of independent regulator, Ofcom’s new number plans, with perhaps the most talked about proposal being this suggestion to make mobile calls to 0800 numbers free.

Calls to 0800 numbers from landlines are free, but from mobiles can cost anything up to 40p a minute. So whilst it may seem like revelations for customer callers, a few people have voiced concerns over its effect on charities.

We’re a charitable bunch over at Elite, we run marathons, hike up hills and wholly believe in supporting those less fortunate. Recently we gave £500 to the Help the Heroes charity, a cause close to our own hearts.



The Helplines Association (THA) has said, amidst of all the suggested reforms, that making the calls free from all devices could mean fewer charity helplines offering free phone numbers.

Although the THA are welcoming proposals, which it says will benefit ordinary folk who are in crisis and low on funds, they have pointed out that charities may struggle to cover the costs of accepting calls from mobiles.

0800 numbers are free for the caller, as they are paid for by the company the caller is ringing. This is good for businesses who like to portray a helpful image and great for helplines to assist their duty of care.

In the current financial climate especially, helplines may be reluctantly forced to switch to other 08 numbers, such as 0845 numbers of 0844 numbers, which will charge customers. 

The organisation wants to make sure that charities and helplines will be able to afford the calls, if the new legislation is put in place. They are calling on Ofcom and the mobile networks to agree a scheme.

Rekha Wadhwani, chief executive of THA, said: “We welcome Ofcom’s plans. We have been campaigning on the cost of calling freephone numbers, especially charity helplines, from mobile phones since 1999.

“However, every benefit has a downside, and it is also important that answering calls from mobiles remains affordable for charities.”

Many organisations and manufacturers today use a toll-free number assigned from a special dialling prefix range (also known as an area code).  These 0800 numbers are used to encourage customer loyalty, allow for friends and family to contact over long distances for free, make a sale or even enhance support.  The 08 number may be used because the calling party is being charged in another way, such as technical support calls.

The first freephone service appeared in the 1960s, through the Post Office.  It helped reduce the need for operators.  The inventor of the toll-free system 800 number was a wry American scientist, named Roy Weber.  Weber’s invention was called ‘Data Base Communication Call Processing Method. Today, this is more commonly known as a Toll-Free Call or 800 call.

British Telecom has won the prestigious Telecoms World Middle East Award, in the category of Best International Wholesale Carrier.  The firm, which allows free, calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers works with over 680 carriers across all continents.  Clients range from fixed-line operators and internet service providers to mobile network operators.

The award recognises BT’s commitment to the markets worldwide and its continued growth and strength. At one stage it was the very first telecommunication operator in the UK.  The hulk of a firm is also committed to creating a greener environment, to lower the carbon footprint on the planet.

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!