
1. Consider which NGN you want to represent your business, an 0800 is free for your customers to call but carries a cost to your business, nonetheless if you want to drive calls to your business this is the way to go. If you're not a fan of 08 numbers but still need the benefits of network services then Geo Fix numbers enable you to still appear local to your customers. 0844 ... 0871 provides you with a potential revenue stream. Etc. etc.
2. Look at the ppm charges and understand what the costs are to your business for each number range, some generate revenue for your business, others cost.
3. Be aware of Ofcom regulations, 0870 numbers, PhonepayPlus on 0871 numbers
4. If you are wanting to track the performance of different advertising you will need more than one number...
5. The number can terminate directly to a DDI (single translation) or you can add network level services to enhance functionality
6. There are a number of network level services you can utilise with an NGN number, some are bespoke and more costly, others are off the shelf and can be deployed quickly.
7. Think about the end user journey and the routing of your number, out of hours, in hours etc.
8. Never advertise a number before you have had confirmation from supplier that it has been connected.
9. When advertising numbers make sure they are correct, this is a regular and costly mistake that businesses make …
10. If you are looking to scale the size of your business up or down, 08 numbers could be the right numbers for you.
Memorable phone numbers usually start with 08. They are generally used by businesses so that they can be easily remembered or recognised by customers or other businesses. It means that people are more likely to call because the number might seem familiar to them.
If a business has a memorable phone number, they are more likely to be chosen by a customer instead of them choosing a competitor. Memorable numbers can also create a more professional image for your business and give your business a national rather than a local presence.
Elite Telecom offers a wide range of memorable numbers that can help you to increase your business – for more information on what numbers we have available, simply call Elite today!
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 has set out a new consultation regarding the allocation of two memorable phone numbers to the UK for services of social value. The European Commission has already reserved these phone numbers and the consultation is to decide whether to add these numbers to the National Telephone Numbering Plan and what to charge. The numbers are as follows:
-116006; a helpline service for crime victims, freephone.
-116117; a non-emergency medical on-call service, free to caller.
The UK already has three 116 phone numbers for services of social value:
-116000; for missing children, freephone
-116111; children’s helpline, freephone
-116123: emotional support, freephone
For more information, visit Ofcom at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/harmonised_eu_numbers/main/
The Department of Health (DH) is to in introduce a new memorable phone number across England for non-emergency healthcare services. The new 111 number has been approved by Ofcom and following a successful trial in a number of areas, it will be rolled out across England. The new 111 number will be free to call and will be handled by trained NHS staff. To read the full statement by Ofcom visit: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/three_number_non_emergency/statement/
So remember – non-emergency healthcare needs? Call 111.
Notwithstanding a decline in the number of calls, the founding company of the 118 188 phone number, The Number UK, has seen huge profits this year. The company has a massive 60% share of the directory enquiries market which was deregulated in 2003. With prices inflated to around 54p per call (scandalous I know), it’s no wonder really that the company has seen high profits. And all this despite the fact that recent polls have found 118 118 gives the wrong information out one in five times!
Ofcom have just announced that three organisations will be using a pan-European helpline number to enable anyone travelling through Europe to get the same services from the helplines. The organisations currently chosen are:
Missing People - 116 000 for a missing children helpline;
NSPCC - 116 111 for its ChildLine service; and
Samaritans - 116 123 for an emotional support helpline.
The memorable European-wide 116 phone numbers will be freephone whether from a landline or a mobile.
0800-CALL-TURK
So you’re looking for a memorable number. Unfortunately 0123456789 is taken, so what’re you gonna do? If we were in the USA, it wouldn’t be a problem. Over there they have alphanumeric phone numbers. Mine would be 077450-TASHA – i.e. 077450-82742. Now how good would that be? Like Turk in Scrubs ‘916-CALL-TURK’. Now that’s a memorable phone number.
It’s strange though – those Americans can’t text even though they’re extremely enthusiastic about trying to – it’s hard to find an American who’s not enthusiastic, really – yet they have this fantastic way of promoting businesses! Over here, we’d rather text than talk, we’re breeding a generation of kids with RSI in fact, but when it comes to making our numbers memorable – well, we suck. Badly. The only one that’s really memorable for me is the Hastings Direct number – 0800 00 1066 – and that’s only because the damn song was stuck in my head for a week. Not the best way to get customers to remember your phone number because in my view, they’d rather chew glass than have to listen to your jingle again. Let me spell it out for you – 0800-ALPHANUMERIC!!!