03 Non-Geographic Local Rate Numbers

The Consumer Fair Alternative to 08 Tariff Numbers

UK Telecommunications regulator, Ofcom, issued the 03 non-geographic number local rate number range for businesses, public service organisations, health organizations and charities requiring a national presence, but without callers incurring the additional charges associated with calling an 08 number.

Public Perception

With charges for calling 03 numbers the same as calling standard 01/02 numbers, the 03 local rate number range is intended as a replacement for 08 national rate numbers in organizations where public perception demands a fair approach.

Ofcom has responded to public disquiet about 08 numbers being used by organizations such as Government Services, Utilities and the NHS. Ofcom have prohibited revenue sharing on 03 numbers, so the switch to 03 numbers is seen as a fairer alternative.

Bundled Call Plan Minutes

Ofcom have insisted that 03 numbers be included in the same discount bundled call minutes schemes currently applicable to 01 and 02 geographic numbers. Providers must ensure calls made from mobile and pay phones must be comparable in operation and in cost to calls made from standard landline numbers.

03 Number Ranges

	030 Number Ranges (0300/0303) Intended for public sector organizations such as government and health, and non-profit organisations such as registered charities.
	033 Number Ranges (0330/0333) Available for general business use.
	034 Number Range Where available from a provider, the 034 range is intended to replace existing 084 numbers, i.e. 0845 users will be entitled to the equivalent 0345 number (e.g. 0845 111 1234 will be replaced by 0345 111 1234).
	037 Number Range Where available from a provider, the 037 range is intended to replace existing 087 numbers, i.e. 0870 users will be entitled to the equivalent 0370 number (e.g. 0870 111 1234 will be replaced by 0370 111 1234).

03 Virtual PBX

Integration with X-on's powerful PhonePresence Virtual PBX service provide 03 users with comprehensive call handling and call management features.

Call queuing, call transfer, call recording, voicemail, plus web administration and online reports ensure 03 Virtual PBX is a powerful phone solution for SME's through to organizations with wide spread national and international branches.

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03 Surgery Connect

03 numbers can also be integrated with Surgery Connect, a complete and efficient communications system for the Health industry with a focus on medical practices.

Surgery Connect can include Virtual PBX, Appointment Reminders, Phone Noticeboard, Messaging and Alert systems.

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Existing Phone Numbers

03 numbers are pointed to your existing landline phone numbers. Customers can call the 03 number, or your existing numbers, and call services, such as call queueing and call routing, will continue to function as normal.

03 Number Benefits

	UK wide national non-geographic phone presence
	03 numbers charged at local call rate
	Comprehensive 03 Virtual PBX integration
	Number portability independent of business location