New numbers to cope with telephone demand

Last updated at 10:13 13 July 2004


New telephone users in London are to get an extra 020 3 prefix to cope with rising demand, phone chiefs have announced.

Ofcom stressed that there would be no change to existing numbers starting with 020 7 and 020 8.

The 'sub range' 3 will be used in addition to the current prefixes and start to come into force for some new numbers in a year.

Matt Peacock, of Ofcom, said: "The big message is don't panic. Nothing's changing. By next summer, we will begin making use of 020 3. It's a gradual process.

"New businesses and new flats from next year might be offered 020 3 numbers."

He added: "Residential and business customers do not need to change any of their existing numbers, and new 020 7 and 020 8 numbers will continue to be issued by telecoms providers to customers throughout 2005 and beyond."

Around 400,000 new numbers are allocated each year in the capital.

The 020 7 and 020 8 codes for Greater London were introduced during the Big Number change of 2000.

Mr Peacock said the stash of 020 7 numbers would start to run low by next autumn and that the growing number of small businesses and multiple occupancy flats had led to soaring demand.

The change forms part of the regulator's National Telephone Numbering Plan.

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