Must include dialing code?

Flat_Eric

I was bored sorry browsing online earlier and see that from October, certain parts of the UK must include the dialing code even if calling a local number.


I think this is because they are running out of numbers ... so your number may be allocated to someone else in a different part of the country differentiated by the dialing code.


Has anyone found this with their number - that if someone wants to call it they must include the dialing code??

teddysmum

You already can (probably do) share your number with people in different parts of the country; the difference being in the dialling code. There are only a million possible six digit numbers.


I have, in the past, had calls from people who used the wrong code.

Heinz

Another benefit of an Orchid V4 - programmed to automatically insert your own STD code for local numbers (i.e. any number starting with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 [except 999]).

OldGreyFox

Nothing new .It happened to the 01202 code which covered Bournemouth,Poole and a large surrounding area in Nov 2012.

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/geographic-telephone-numbers/statement/

poppasmurf_bewdley

Strangely, when the STD system was introduced, they specifically requested that you DID NOT include the area code when dialling a number. If you did, you got a recorded message saying 'please redial omitting the 061' in the case of Manchester.

adouglasmhor

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

Strangely, when the STD system was introduced, they specifically requested that you DID NOT include the area code when dialling a number. If you did, you got a recorded message saying 'please redial omitting the 061' in the case of Manchester.

I remember you used to get that message, though obviously in my case it was 041 for Glasgow.

iniltous

adouglasmhor wrote: »

I remember you used to get that message, though obviously in my case it was 041 for Glasgow.

Long ago, before digital exchanges, as you dialed a number each digit progressed the call a bit further, (step by step) so if you dialed 01 the call set up for an STD call, if you then put your own area STD code in, rather than use up valuable STD kit you were advised to dial without the STD code, for the last 25 years, the call is routed when the entire number has been entered, so if you did enter your own STD code it made no difference, and with mobiles you have always entered the full number,
I'm not sure how making you dial the full number creates more usable numbers though, if for example your number was 123456..only calls made from the same STD group would get thru, unless the STD code was also dialed, if someone in a different STD area called 123456 they would either get someone else, if it was a valid number on this other STD code, or NU tone, so how does it make more numbers available ?

eddddy

iniltous wrote: »

...
I'm not sure how making you dial the full number creates more usable numbers though, if for example your number was 123456..only calls made from the same STD group would get thru...

Your question may contain a clue!

In fact, you can't have the number 123456 until including STD codes is made mandatory - if you dialled it without an STD code you would get BT timeline (i.e. 123)

The same for numbers beginning with 999, 101, 112, 118, etc

Perhaps there are plans to introduce lots more 'special short numbers' like these, so making STD codes mandatory will make this possible.

zagubov

I'm still hopping mad how when London ran out of numbers they took the 01 code and made it 081. Then 0181. Then 0208. A sign-writers and letterhead printers bonanza.

When Paris ran out of numbers they added a single digit ( a 1 IIRC)on the end of all existing numbers then started issuing all the numbers again with a 2 etc.

I remember when the penny dropped about the old STD codes being more or less alphabetical.
021 Birmingham 031 Edinburgh 041 Glasgow 051 Liverpool 061 Manchester.

lammy82

The fact that many people don't seem to know which bit of their landline number is the dialling code and which bit is the local number indicates that maybe it's time to officially adopt a 'always dial the whole number' approach nationally, and let people format their numbers using whatever digit groupings they prefer.

When 0171 and 0181 merged to form 020 I think it was just a bit too much for the general public to take in.