Dial the Code – changes to local call dialling

Increased pressure on the supply of new phone numbers in the Brighton & Hove area has led to forecasts of a shortage in the next few years. OFCOM, the independent regulator for the UK’s communications industry, has therefore decided to change the way local calls are dialled.

From 1 October 2014, anyone in the Brighton 01273 dialling code area will need to include the area code whenever they dial a local number from a landline. This will not affect the price of the call.

At present the code can be omitted for local calls from landlines, but this means Ofcom is unable to make available new local numbers beginning with a ‘zero’ or a ‘one’.This is because, if a person dialled a local number beginning with a zero or one and omitted the code, the network would interpret the dialled digits as a mobile number (e.g. beginning 07) or directory enquiries number (e.g. beginning 118), rather than a local number. This could lead to the call failing to be connected, or being connected to the wrong number. Making this change will free up almost 200,000 new telephone numbers in the Brighton area.

If you have stored any local numbers in your phone you’ll need to change them before 1st October. You may need to reset your phone system if it has features like call barring for national numbers or speed dialling for local numbers. Some systems can be reset remotely, others may need an engineer visit so plan ahead.

Most importantly, don’t forget to check any other equipment that may be connected to a local number, such as your alarm system.

Ian Hopping is a Utilities Analyst and Cost Management Consultant at Auditel UK.

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk