Do you call 0500 numbers? Changes are coming on 3 June 2017.

Ian011

If any of the organisations you deal with are still using and advertising telephone numbers starting 0500, you'll need to give them a call before 3 June 2017 and ask them what their new number will be. All numbers starting 0500 will cease to exist on 3 June 2017. Consequently, any existing Changed Number Announcements will also stop working on that date. Ofcom gave three years notice of this change, on 3 June 2014.

All users of 0500 numbers have the option to move to the matching 0808 5 number. The new number is one digit longer than the old number but retains the final six digits of the old number. While some organisations have made this change, others have chosen a brand new 03 or 080 number. However, many other organisations appear to be completely unaware of the forthcoming change or have simply ignored all prior warnings as a significant number have yet to take any action.

Currently, calls to 0500 numbers are free from landlines but mobile operators charge up to 55p per minute. Calls to 080 numbers are free-to-caller from landlines and from mobiles. This has been the case since 1 July 2015. Calls to 03 numbers are inclusive in allowances on landlines and mobiles, else charged at 'geographic rate' - the same as calling 01 & 02 numbers. This has been the case since December 2007.

LazyTyper

Thanks for the heads up, Ian011.

The only company I knew of that used 0500 numbers was NS&I but they moved to something else a while back.

lovinituk

I don't think I've ever seen a 0500 number.

Quentin

lovinituk wrote: »

I don't think I've ever seen a 0500 number.

Listeners to bbc hear them on the radio:


http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wr3p/contact

Ian011

BBC Radio 5 Live changed their number just yesterday...

http://archive.is/G187w
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C9FO5VYXoAApGA5.jpg:large

Buzby

0500 was Mercury Communication answer to BT's 0800 Freefone Service. The fact it has lasted this long is nothing short of amazing, as it effectively blocked access to the 05 number range for other chargeable services. I wonder how long it'll take before the first allocations take place.

Ian011

I suspect the long awaited review of the 055, 056, 070 and 076 ranges will result in all of those ranges being discontinued. Ofcom wants simplicity. Additionally, the sharp decrease in usage of 084 and 087 numbers means the future continuance of these ranges is also becoming more uncertain.

Ian011

If you deal with any organisations that currently use freephone 0500 numbers, there's now only one month left for you to give them a call to find out what their new number will be. On 3 June 2017 all 0500 numbers will cease to exist and you will be unable to call them. On that date, all Changed Number Announcements will also stop working.

The changes were announced by Ofcom on 3 June 2014 with a three year transition period. All users of 0500 numbers have the option to migrate to the matching 0808 5 number. Ofcom's continuing simplification of non-geographic numbers reduces the number ranges that are free-to-caller down to 080 (i.e. 0800 and 0808) and 116.

Ian011

If you deal with any organisations that currently use freephone 0500 numbers, there's now only two weeks left for you to give them a call to find out what their new number will be. On 3 June 2017 all 0500 numbers will cease to exist and you will be unable to call them. On that date, all Changed Number Announcements will also stop working.

teddysmum

LazyTyper wrote: »

Thanks for the heads up, Ian011.

The only company I knew of that used 0500 numbers was NS&I but they moved to something else a while back.

The 0500 number is still on some paperwork, as I had to ring them a few weeks ago and, being unsure, checked that the number was a free one.

Ian011

Calls to 0500 numbers are free from landlines but most mobile providers charge for them.

Ofcom decided to simplify things by having just one freephone range (080) and making these calls free-to-caller from landlines and from mobiles.

The latter issue was addressed on 1 July 2015. The other issue will be addressed by the closure of the 0500 range in two weeks time.