Ofcom have decided that the 0500 number range will be gradually phased out over the next three years. This follows an Ofcom announcement made on 3 June 2014. Research has found that the number range isn’t very well recognised among consumers and has not been as popular since the 0800 number range was introduced in the mid 1980’s.
0500 numbers cannot be issued anymore. If your business is currently using 0500 numbers you will still be able to receive calls until 3rd June 2017.
The new Ofcom range that will be offered to users of 0500 numbers to migrate to will be 080 85. This will allow service providers to migrate any existing 0500 numbers to 080 85 numbers with the same final six digits and this will help businesses to keep the majority of their existing number.
This is likely to be met by a negative perception from owners of 0500 numbers as 080 85 doesn’t have the same synergy or familiarity when it comes to call charges.
The benefit to this is questionable as any existing promotional material (business cards, website, leaflets etc) would all have to be reproduced adding to commercial costs which won’t be financed by Ofcom and put extra financial strain on smaller businesses.
When a business changes its’s number a recorded message is usually put on a recorded message informing callers of the change, it seems that changing the number should not be left until the last minute.
Calls to 0500 numbers are free to call from landlines but mobile service providers can charge anything up to 55p per minute.
Moving forward large businesses are likely to move towards a 0800 number range, however a 0800 alternative to their existing 0500 is unlikely to be available. At 08UK we have some fantastic memorable Gold and Platinum 0800 numbers which could be of some interest to you.
Please call us on 0800 408 0807 for more details.
If you would like to talk to one of our team to get any point clarifying please do not hesitate to contact us. Call us now on 0800 408 0807 so we can call you back
