Confusion over new mobile codes

Four million old mobile phone numbers will be switched off tomorrow in the final phase of the "Big Number" change - but half of users do not know their new number, a survey shows.

Numbers beginning with 03, 04, 05, 08 and 09 will become defunct, with people having to dial new codes beginning 07.

Pagers will also change to codes starting with the same two 07 digits.

The cross-industry steering group organising the shake-up on the orders of telephone regulator Oftel said two in three people now appeared to be aware of tomorrow's change, while one in three claimed they had already started using the new numbers by the end of last month.

However, more than half of 1,000-plus people it questioned mistakenly thought they could simply replace the first two digits of their old numbers with 07.

Instead, there are more than 40 number changes, with mobile users being offered free advice on both the Internet and a special hotline.

Howard Sandom, campaign manager for the Big Number, said: "The changes are complex and that's why we're urging people to check what the new mobile numbers are first, rather than just assuming they insert a 7.

"Even if their own number isn't changing, they should update any old mobile numbers stored in address books, databases and phone handsets."

Premium rate numbers and old special rate numbers also change tomorrow to start 09 and 08 respectively.

Details on all the number changes can be obtained on The Big Number freephone helpline 0808 2242000 or at www.numberchange.org.

The Carphone Warehouse said it was also offering no-strings-attached advice to anyone with a mobile phone.

The chain said it will also update the phone directories stored in users' phones free of charge at any of its 470 stores nationwide.

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