Personal numbering

Personal numbering is the name for the virtual telephone number service in the UK. Typically the national destination code used for this service is (0)70. The service provides a flexible virtual telephone number able to be routed to any other number, including international mobiles. For example, the UK number +44 70 0585 0070 might route to an Inmarsat satellite phone number, allowing the user to have a UK number while roaming globally.

This service has however been reported as having "significant scamming activity" of various sorts[1][2] as users can mistakenly assume they are calling a UK mobile telephone number that generally costs far less.[3]

(For the telephone numbering plan context of 070 numbers see Telephone numbers in the United Kingdom).

History

In the United States, AT&T ran a trial in 1991[4] which led, in 1992, to the AT&T EasyReach 700 service[5][6][7] of follow me numbers, on area code 700.

Early days

After protracted lobbying of Oftel throughout 1992, FleXtel launched the UK's first Personal Telephone Number Service, using the 09567 number range in December 1993,[8][9]

070 introduction

In 1995 the UK telecoms regulator, Oftel (now Ofcom), reserved the whole of the 070 range exclusively for personal numbering, imitating the USA area code 700. FleXtel migrated its existing customers across during a two-year transition phase.

Fraudulent use

Call cost scams

A range of scams revolve around UK residents being tricked into making calls to 070 numbers that attract much larger than normal call costs.[10][11][12][13][14]

False UK number scams

In its full format (e.g. +44 70 0585 0070) an 070 number will be internationally recognisable as a UK number - even though it might in fact terminate to a mobile number anywhere - this feature is used in a variety of scams.[15]

Ofcom reforms

Concerned at the number of scams, Ofcom consulted on removing revenue share from the 070 range and this took effect in 2009. They had previously considered other options such as moving this service to the unused 06 number range or enforcing a pre-call announcement of the call charges. Although consulted on, those other remedies were never put into effect.

Concerned at the lack of transparency and the high retail charges for calls to 070 numbers, Ofcom launched a call cost review in 2017.[16] This led to a consultation in 2018 which recommended capping the termination rate or wholesale rate at no more than the rate for calling a mobile number.[17] Those changes took effect on 1 October 2019[18] and several phone providers have already passed the saving on by now including calls to 070 numbers within inclusive allowances.

See also

References
  1. Ofcom (15 October 2008). "Review of the 070 personal numbering range". Office of Communications. Archived from the original on 18 October 2008.
  2. "Consumers warned about 070 missed call scam". ofcom. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  3. Walker, Nicky (1 August 2017). "The real cost to phone a premium rate or geographic telephone number". Telephone Answering Service | UK Phone Call Professionals. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  4. Bensley, John (1 March 1998). "700 Personal Numbering Trials in the USA". Papers. TeleScapes. Archived from the original on 15 August 2000.
  5. "Lifetime Telephone Numbers". The New York Times. 29 April 1992. Archived from the original on 13 July 2009.
  6. "AT&T announces Easy Reach 700". 2 May 1992. Archived from the original on 2 December 1996.
  7. "The 700 Club". Time. 11 May 1992. Archived from the original on 9 March 2008.
  8. "Small Company Launches Caller Pays Service". Financial Times. 2 December 1993. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012.
  9. "09567 Flextel classic". 12 May 1996. Archived from the original on 20 December 1996. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  10. "Ofcom opens investigation into the cost of 118 calls". BBC News. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  11. Oftel (1 May 2001). "Restoring trust in Personal Numbering". Ofcom. Archived from the original on 8 May 2004.
  12. Oftel (16 January 2004). "Personal Numbering - Guidance on the acceptable use of 070 Numbers". Office of Telecommunications. Archived from the original on 17 April 2004.
  13. Ofcom (15 October 2008). "Review of the 070 personal numbering range" (PDF). Office of Communications. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 July 2013.
  14. FleXtel. "Working with Ofcom for Consumer Empowerment". FleXtel Ltd. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012.
  15. "What to do with (international) phone scams?". Farudhelpdesk.org. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  16. "Telephone review to ensure value for callers" (Press release). Ofcom. 12 May 2017.
  17. "Personal numbering – Review of the 070 number range". Ofcom. 15 August 2018.
  18. "New rules to combat high call costs and scams come into force today". Ofcom. 1 October 2019.
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