List of telephone area name changes in the United Kingdom

Last updated

This list of telephone area name changes in the United Kingdom documents proposed and actual changes to the names of telephone areas, made in the third millennium by Oftel and its successor Ofcom, with assistance from BT and Cable & Wireless plc (C&W). [1]

Contents

Background

In 2003, Oftel published a proposal to create a National Telephone Numbering Plan (NTNP). [2] This draft plan proposed changing the names of many areas from whatever name BT had previously used. Following responses from BT, [3] C&W [4] and others the final plan was published with a number of amendments incorporated, [5] followed by a minor revision a few weeks later. [6] A few months later, the data and the responsibility for maintaining it was passed to Ofcom. [7]

Ofcom's data is contained in two files: the NTNP PDF file [8] (updated several times per year) and the SABC CSV file [9] for electronic download (published weekly). Although the data in these files should be identical, there have been and still are many differences between them.

In one background document from 2004, [10] Ofcom states that In order to conform to the National Telephone Numbering Plan (NTNP), the names of the following Geographic Area Codes have changed - 1248, 1268, 1275, 1276, 1291, 1293, 1306, 1322, 1327, 1334, 1344, 1354, 1356, 1375, 1384, 1394, 1425, 1438, 1442, 1451, 1454, 1461, 1470, 1471, 1477, 1478, 1485, 1488, 1489, 1491, 1543, 1561, 1562, 1582, 1588, 1598, 1661, 1668, 1675, 1680, 1681, 1684, 1688, 1689, 1695, 1707, 1720, 1727, 1737, 1744, 1753, 1770, 1784, 1806, 1821, 1856, 1870, 1877, 1883, 1885, 1889, 1895, 1908, 1920, 1922, 1926, 1928, 1932, 1952, 1953, 1963, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1992.

The Ofcom proposal also contained a large number of spelling mistakes in the proposed area code names. [2] Some of those errors were rectified within weeks or months, while others have still not been fixed eight years later. Additionally, several other areas changed their name after suggestions by BT and/or C&W, although Ofcom originally had no plans to change them. There are also several areas which changed name but are not listed above. Additionally some names were changed in one Ofcom document but were not updated in the other Ofcom document until several years later. Some have still not been updated or corrected. [11]

Nine more place names were fixed in a reissued NTNP PDF document in mid-December 2011. [12]

List

The proposed and actual changes, along with the list of implementation errors, are detailed below.

CodeSABC March 2003 [13] Oftel 2003 proposal [2] BT 2003 comments [3] C&W 2003 comments [4] NTNP edits 2003 onwards [8] SABC edits 2003 onwards [9] Status 2012
117 Bristol
(Inner - See also 1275)
BristolNo comment.No comment.BristolBristolOK
1229 0,1 Barrow-in-Furness / Millom Barrow-in-Furness / MillomNo comment.No comment.Barrow-in-Furness / Millom (7) then changed to Barrow-in-Furness (2,4,5,6,8) / Millom (3,7,9) in 2005.Barrow-in-Furness National Dialling (2003- ). Should be Barrow-in-Furness/Millom National Dialling.NTNP OK.
Error in SABC. Should be Barrow-in-Furness/Millom National Dialling.
1233 Ashford AshfordNo comment.Could cause confusion. Suggest Ashford (Kent).Ashford (Kent)Ashford (2003- ). Should be Ashford (Kent).NTNP OK.
Error in SABC. Should be Ashford (Kent).
1248 Bangor (N Wales) BangorSuggest using Bangor (Wales).Clashes with 28 91. Suggest Bangor (Wales).Bangor (Gwynedd)Bangor (Gwynedd)OK
1260 Congleton
(See also 1477)
CongletonNo comment.No comment.CongletonCongletonOK
1268 Stanford-le-Hope
(See also 1375)
Canvey Island Suggest using Basildon.Consider using Basildon.BasildonBasildonOK (using BT and C&W suggested name).
1271Barnstable[ sic ]Barnstable [sic]No comment.No comment.Barnstable (2003–2011) then corrected to Barnstaple in late 2011.Barnstable (2003–2010) then corrected to Barnstaple in 2010.NTNP now OK.
SABC now OK.
(Error persists in TACT. [14] )
1275Bristol
(Outer - See also 117)
Clevedon Clevedon.
No comment.
Clevedon. Agree.ClevedonClevedonOK
1276 Ascot
(See also 1344)
Camberley Camberley.
No comment.
Camberley. Agree.CamberleyCamberleyOK
1284Bury-St-Edmunds [sic]Bury-St-Edmunds [sic]No comment.No comment.Bury-St-Edmunds (2003–2011) then corrected to Bury St Edmunds in late 2011.Bury-St-Edmunds (2003–2010) then corrected to Bury St Edmunds in 2010.NTNP now OK.
SABC now OK.
(Error persists in TACT. [14] )
1286Caernarvon [sic]Caernarvon [sic]No comment.No comment.Caernarvon (2003–2011) then corrected to Caernarfon in late 2011.Caernarvon (2003–2010) then corrected to Caernarfon in 2010.NTNP now OK.
SABC now OK.
(Error persists in TACT. [14] )
1289Berwick-on-Tweed [sic]Berwick-on-Tweed [sic]No comment.No comment.Berwick-on-Tweed (2003–2011) then corrected to Berwick-upon-Tweed in late 2011.Berwick-on-Tweed (2003–2010) then corrected to Berwick-upon-Tweed in 2010.NTNP now OK.
SABC now OK.
(Error persists in TACT. [14] )
1291 Shirenewton Chepstow Chepstow.
No comment.
Chepstow. Agree.ChepstowChepstowOK
1293 Newdigate
(See also 1306)
Crawley Crawley.
No comment.
Crawley. Agree.CrawleyCrawleyOK
1294 Ardrossan ArdrossanArdrossan.
No comment.
Consider using Irvine.ArdrossanArdrossanOK
1306Newdigate
(See also 1293)
Dorking Dorking.
No comment.
Dorking. Agree.DorkingDorkingOK
1322 Swanley
(See also 1959 & 1689)
Dartford Dartford.
No comment.
Dartford. Agree.DartfordDartfordOK
1327 Weedon Daventry Daventry.
No comment.
Daventry. Agree.DaventryDaventryOK
1329 Fareham
(See also 1489)
FarehamNo comment.No comment.FarehamFarehamOK
1333 Peat Inn
(See also 1334)
Peat InnPeat Inn.
No comment.
Peat Inn. Agree.Peat Inn (2003- )Peat Inn (2003- ) Leven (Fife) would be a better name for 1333. Peat Inn is in 1334.
1334Peat Inn
(See also 1333)
St Andrews St Andrews.
No comment.
St Andrews. Agree.St Andrews (2003- )St Andrews (2003- )In renaming 1334 Ofcom renamed the wrong area.
1340 Craigellachie CraigellachieNo comment.No comment.CraigellachieCraigellachieOK (Aberlour may be a better name, no exchange in Craigellachie).
1344Ascot
(See also 1276)
Bracknell Bracknell.
No comment.
Bracknell. Agree.BracknellBracknellOK
1354 Doddington Chatteris Chatteris.
No comment.
Chatteris. Agree.ChatterisChatterisOK
1355 East Kilbride
(See also 1357)
KilbrideConsider East Kilbride for both.Suggest using East Kilbride.East KilbrideEast KilbrideOK
1356 Brechin BrechinNo comment.No comment.BrechinBrechinOK (Listed by Ofcom as changing name in 2003 but name not actually changed).
1357East Kilbride
(See also 1355)
East KilbrideConsider East Kilbride for both.Suggest using Strathaven.StrathavenStrathavenOK (using C&W suggested name).
1375Stanford-le-Hope
(See also 1268)
Stanford-le-HopeSuggest using Grays Thurrock instead of Stanford Le Hope [sic].Suggest using Grays Thurrock.Grays ThurrockGrays ThurrockOK (using BT and C&W suggested name).
1384 Stourbridge
(See also 1562)
Dudley Dudley.
No comment.
Dudley. Agree.DudleyStourbridge (2003–2007) then corrected to Dudley in 2007.NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.
1388 5 Stanhope (5) and Bishop Auckland Stanhope (4) and Bishop Auckland01388 contains two separate charge groups: 01388 and 01388 5. Stanhope sub-reference needs correcting: (5) not (4).No comment.Stanhope (5)1388 5 StanhopeOK (The Stanhope exchange is located in Eastgate).
1394 Shottisham Felixstowe Felixstowe.
No comment.
Felixstowe. Agree.FelixstoweFelixstoweOK
1425 Burley Ringwood Ringwood.
No comment.
Ringwood. Agree.RingwoodRingwoodOK
1437 2,3,4,5 Clynderwen ClynderwenNo comment.No comment.ClynderwenClynderwenOK (The correct Welsh spelling is Clunderwen).
1438 Knebworth
(See also 1920)
KnebworthSuggest using Stevenage.Suggest using Stevenage.StevenageStevenageOK (using BT and C&W suggested name).
1442 Markyate
(See also 1582)
Hemel Hempstead Hemel Hempstead.
No comment.
Hemel Hempstead. Agree.Hemel HempsteadHemel HempsteadOK
1451 Bourton-on-the-Water Stow-on-the-Wold Stow-on-the-Wold.
No comment.
Stow-on-the-Wold. Agree.Stow-on-the-WoldStow-on-the-WoldOK
1454 Rangeworthy Chipping Sodbury Chipping Sodbury.
No comment.
Chipping Sodbury. Agree.Chipping SodburyChipping SodburyOK
1461 Annan Gretna Gretna.
No comment.
Gretna. Agree.GretnaGretnaOK
1470 Edinbane Isle of Skye - EdinbaneIsle of Skye - Edinbane.
No comment.
Isle of Skye - Edinbane. Agree.Isle of Skye - EdinbaneIsle of Skye - EdinbaneOK
1471 Broadford Isle of Skye - BroadfordIsle of Skye - Broadford.
No comment.
Isle of Skye - Broadford. Agree.Isle of Skye - BroadfordIsle of Skye - BroadfordOK
1477 Congleton
(See also 1260)
Holmes Chapel Holmes Chapel.
No comment.
Holmes Chapel. Agree.Holmes ChapelHolmes Chappel (2003–2007) then corrected to Holmes Chapel in 2007.NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.
1478 Portree Isle of Skye - PortreeIsle of Skye - Portree.
No comment.
Isle of Skye - Portree. Agree.Isle of Skye - PortreeIsle of Skye - PortreeOK
1482 Hull HullNo comment.No comment.HullHullKingston-upon-Hull would be a better name.
1485 Docking Hunstanton Hunstanton.
No comment.
Hunstanton. Agree.HunstantonHunstantonOK
1488 Great Shefford Hungerford Hungerford.
No comment.
Hungerford. Agree.HungerfordHungerfordOK
1489 Fareham
(See also 1329)
Bishops Waltham Bishops Waltham.
No comment.
Bishops Waltham. Agree.Bishops WalthamBishops WalthamOK
1491 Nettlebed Henley-on-Thames Henley-on-Thames.
No comment.
Henley-on-Thames. Agree.Henley-on-ThamesHenley on Thames (2003–2010) then corrected to Henley-on-Thames in 2010.NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.
1507 4 Alford (Lincs) AlfordNo comment.Clashes with 1975. Suggest Alford (Lincs).Alford (Lincolnshire) (2003) then corrected to Alford (Lincs) later in 2003.Alford (Lincs)NTNP now OK.
SABC OK.
1507 5 Spilsby Spilsby01507 - contains two rather than three charge groups. 01507 5, like the rest of the range bar Alford, is Louth, and not Spilsby - Spilsby is 01790. The reference to Spilsby should be deleted.No comment.Spilsby removed (2003–2005) then added again in 2005.Spilsby (2003- ) Horncastle would be a better name for 1507 2 and 1507 5.
Spilsby is 1790.
15395Grange over Sands [sic]Grange-Over-Sands [sic]No comment.Grange-over-sands.
No comment.
Grange-Over-Sands (2003–2011) then corrected to Grange-over-Sands in late 2011.Grange over Sands (2003–2010) then corrected to Grange-over-Sands in 2010.NTNP now OK.
SABC now OK.
(Error persists in TACT. [14] )
1543 Burntwood Cannock Cannock.
No comment.
Cannock. Agree.CannockCannockOK
1559Llandyssul [sic]Llandyssul [sic]No comment.No comment.Llandyssul (2003–2011) then corrected to Llandysul in late 2011.Llandyssul (2003–2010) then corrected to Llandysul in 2010.NTNP now OK.
SABC now OK.
(Error persists in TACT. [14] )
1561 Fordoun Laurencekirk Laurencekirk.
No comment.
Laurencekirk. Agree.LaurencekirkLaurencekirkOK
1562Stourbridge
(See also 1384)
StourbridgeStourbridge.
No comment.
Consider using Kidderminster.KidderminsterKidderminsterOK (using C&W suggested name).
1582Markyate
(See also 1442)
Luton Luton.
No comment.
Luton. Agree.LutonLutonOK
1588 Craven Arms Bishops Castle Bishops Castle.
No comment.
Bishops Castle. Agree.Bishops CastleBishops CastleOK
1594 Lydney LydneyLydney.
No comment.
Consider using Dean.LydneyLydneyOK
1598 Brayford Lynton Lynton.
No comment.
Consider using Barnstable [sic] [Bad idea].LyntonLyntonOK
1603Norwich_ Norwich No comment.No comment.NorwichNorwich_ (2000–2012) then corrected to Norwich in early 2012.NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.
Trailing space in SABC removed in early 2012.
1636 Newark NewarkNo comment.No comment.NewarkNewarkNewark-on-Trent would be a better name.
1637 Newquay
(See also 1841)
NewquayNo comment.No comment.NewquayNewquayOK
1661 Wylam Prudhoe Prudhoe.
No comment.
Prudhoe. Agree.PrudhoePrudhoeOK
1668 Belford Bamburgh Bamburgh.
No comment.
Consider using Wooler.BamburghBamburghOK
1675 Meriden
(See also 1676)
Coleshill Coleshill.
No comment.
Coleshill. Agree.ColeshillColeshillOK
1676Meriden
(See also 1675)
MeridenMeriden.
No comment.
Meriden. Agree.MeridenMeridenOK
1680 Craignure Isle of Mull - CraignureIsle of Mull - Craignure.
No comment.
Isle of Mull - Craignure. Agree.Isle of Mull - CraignureIsle of Mull - CraignureOK
1681 Fionnphort Isle of Mull - FionnphortIsle of Mull - Fionnphort.
No comment.
Isle of Mull - Fionnphort. Agree.Isle of Mull - FionnphortIsle of Mull - FionnphortOK
1684 Hanley Swan Hanley SwanSuggest using Tewkesbury.Suggest using Malvern.MalvernMalvernOK (using C&W suggested name).
1686 4 Llanidloes Llandiloes [sic]No comment.Spelling error. Use Llanidloes.LlanidloesLlanidloesOK. Spelling error fixed in 2003.
1688 Tobermory Isle of Mull - TobermoryIsle of Mull - Tobermory.
No comment.
Isle of Mull - Tobermory. Agree.Isle of Mull - TobermoryIsle of Mull - TobermoryOK
1689Swanley
(See also 1322 & 1959)
Orpington Orpington.
No comment.
Orpington. Agree.OrpingtonOrpingtonOK
1695 Skelmersdale (Rainford)
(See also 1744)
SkelmersdaleSkelmersdale.
No comment.
Skelmersdale. Agree.SkelmersdaleSkelmersdaleOK
1697 Brampton BramptonBrampton should be 016977, not 01697.No comment.Correctly listed as 016977 (2003–2004) then incorrect 01697 (2005- ).Correctly listed as 16977 (2001–2002) then incorrect 1697 (2003- ).16977 is a five-digit area code.
1707 Colney Heath
(See also 1727)
Welwyn Garden City Suggest using Potters Bar.Consider using Potters Bar.Welwyn Garden CityWelwyn Garden CityOK (BT and C&W suggested Potters Bar).
1720 Scillonia Isles of Scilly Isles of Scilly.
No comment.
Isles of Scilly. Agree.Isles of ScillyIsles of ScillyOK
1727Colney Heath
(See also 1707)
St Albans St Albans.
No comment.
St Albans. Agree.St AlbansSt AlbansOK
1737 Merstham
(See also 1883)
Redhill Redhill.
No comment.
Redhill. Agree.RedhillRedhillOK
1744Rainford
(See also 1695)
St Helens St Helens.
No comment.
St Helens. Agree.St HelensSt HelensOK
1753 Iver
(See also 1895 & 1784)
Slough Slough.
No comment.
Slough. Agree.SloughSloughOK
1770 Brodick Isle of Arran Isle of Arran.
No comment.
Isle of Arran. Agree.Isle of ArranIsle of ArranOK
1784Iver
(See also 1895 & 1753)
Staines Staines.
No comment.
Staines. Agree.StainesStainesOK
1790Spilsby
(See also 1507)
SpilsbySpilsby.
No comment.
Spilsby. Agree.SpilsbySpilsbyOK
1806Voe Shetland Shetland.
No comment.
Shetland. Agree.ShetlandShetlandOK
1807 Ballindalloch BallindallochNo comment.No comment.BallindallochBallindallochOK
1821 Coupar Angus
(See also 1828)
Kinross Consider using Kinrossie or Errol. Kinross is 01577 and many miles away.Kinross [sic]. Agree
(See BT comments).
Kinrossie KinrossieOK (using BT suggested name).
1828Coupar Angus
(See also 1821)
Coupar AngusCoupar Angus.
No comment.
Coupar Angus. Agree.Coupar AngusCoupar AngusOK
1832 Clopton CloptonClopton.
No comment.
Suggest using Oundle.CloptonCloptonOK
1841Newquay
(See also 1637)
NewquayNo comment.Consider using Padstow.Newquay (2003- )Newquay (2003- )Clashes with 1637. C&W suggested Padstow in 2003.
1843 Thanet ThanetNo comment.No comment.ThanetThanetOK (Thanet is a region not a town).
1847 Thurso / Tongue Thurso / Tongue01847 would be better shown in the same way as 01339. Use 01847 Thurso (8) and Tongue (6) as these are non-adjacent charge groups.No comment.Thurso [5,8] / Tongue (6) (2003–2005) then changed to Thurso (2,3,4,5,8) / Tongue (6,7,9) in 2005.Thurso (8) / Tongue (6) (2002) then Thurso (5,8) / Tongue (6) (2003) then Thurso (2,3,4,5,8) / Tongue (6,7,9) 2004 onwards.OK
1851 7,8 Stornoway Stornaway [sic]No comment.Spelling error. Use Stornoway.StornowayStornowayOK. Spelling error fixed in 2003.
1856 Kirkwall Orkney Orkney.
No comment.
Orkney. Agree.OrkneyOrkneyOK
1864 Abington AbingtonNo comment.No comment.AbingtonAbingtonOK (The Abington exchange is located in Crawford).
1870 Benbecula Isle of BenbeculaIsle of Benbecula.
No comment.
Isle of Benbecula. Agree.Isle of BenbeculaIsle of BenbeculaOK
1877 Trossachs Callandar [sic]No comment.Callandar [sic]. Agree.Callandar (2003–2011) then corrected to Callander in late 2011.CallanderNTNP now OK.
SABC OK.
(Error persists in TACT. [14] )
1878Lohboisdale [sic] Lochboisdale Lochboisdale.
No comment.
Lochboisdale. Agree.LochboisdaleLohboisdale (2003–2005) then corrected to Lochboisdale in 2005.NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.
1883Merstham
(See also 1737)
Caterham Caterham.
No comment.
Caterham. Agree.CaterhamCaterhamOK
1885 Bromyard
(See also 1886)
Pencombe No comment.Suggest using Bromyard.Pencombe (2003- )Pencombe (2003- )In renaming 1885 Ofcom renamed the wrong area.
1886Bromyard
(See also 1885)
BromyardNo comment.Suggest using Leigh Sinton.Bromyard (2003- )Bromyard (2003- ) Knightwick or Leigh Sinton would be a better name for 1886. Bromyard businesses use 1885.
1889Dapple HeathRugely [sic]No comment.Rugely [sic]. Agree.Rugely (2003–2011) then corrected to Rugeley in late 2011.RugeleyNTNP now OK.
SABC OK.
(Error persists in TACT. [14] )
1890 6n/an/aNo comment.No comment. Ayton (7) (2003–2004) then changed to Ayton (5,6,7,9) in 2005. Coldstream (2003–2005) then corrected to Ayton in 2005.NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.
1895Iver
(See also 1753 & 1784)
Uxbridge Uxbridge.
No comment.
Uxbridge Agree.UxbridgeUxbridgeOK
1902 Wolverhampton
(See also 1922)
WolverhamptonNo comment.No comment.WolverhamptonWolverhamptonOK
1908 Wolverton Milton Keynes Milton Keynes.
No comment.
Milton Keynes. Agree.Milton KeynesMilton KeynesOK
191 2,4,6,8 Tyneside TynesideNo comment.No comment.TynesideTyneside Newcastle-upon-Tyne would be a better name.
191 5 Wearside Sunderland Sunderland.
No comment.
Sunderland. Agree.SunderlandWearside (2003–2007) then corrected to Sunderland in 2007.NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.
1920Knebworth
(See also 1438)
Ware Ware.
No comment.
Ware.
No comment.
WareWareOK
1922Wolverhampton
(See also 1902)
Walsall Walsall.
No comment.
Walsall.
No comment.
WalsallWalsallOK
1926 Leamington Spa Warwick Warwick.
No comment.
Suggest Leamington Spa.WarwickWarwickOK
1928 Frodsham Runcorn No comment.Runcorn. Agree.RuncornRuncornOK
1931 Shap Bampton Suggest continuing to use Shap.Suggest Shap.ShapShapOK (using BT and C&W suggested name).
1932Esher
(See also 1372)
EsherNo comment.Clashes with 1372. Suggest Weybridge.WeybridgeWeybridgeOK (using C&W suggested name).
1934Weston-Super-Mare [sic]Weston-Super-Mare [sic]No comment.No comment.Weston-Super-Mare (2003–2011) then corrected to Weston-super-Mare in late 2011.Weston-Super-Mare (2003- ). Should be Weston-super-Mare.NTNP now OK.
Error in SABC. Should be Weston-super-Mare.
(Error persists in TACT. [14] )
19467 Gosforth (Mixed)GosforthNo comment.Gosforth. Agree.GosforthGosforth (Mixed) (2003- ). Should be Gosforth.NTNP OK.
Error in SABC. Should be Gosforth.
1952 Wellington Telford Telford.
No comment.
Telford.
No comment.
TelfordTelfordOK
1953 Attleborough Wymondham Wymondham.
No comment.
Wymondham.
No comment.
WymondhamWymondhamOK
1959Swanley
(See also 1322 & 1689)
Westerham Westerham.
No comment.
Consider Swanley or Biggin Hill.WesterhamSwanley (2003–2007) then corrected to Westerham in 2007.NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.
1963 Templecombe Wincanton Wincanton.
No comment.
Wincanton. Agree.WincantonWincantonOK
1975 5 Alford (Aberdeen)AlfordNo comment.Clashes with 1507. Suggest Alford (Scotland).Alford (Aberdeenshire) (2003–2005) then corrected to Alford (Aberdeen) in 2005.Alford (Aberdeen)NTNP now OK.
SABC OK.
1980 Bulford Camp Amesbury Amesbury.
No comment.
Amesbury. Agree.AmesburyAmesburyOK
1983 Ryde Isle of Wight Isle of Wight.
No comment.
Isle of Wight. Agree.Isle of WightIsle of WightOK
1984 Stogumber Watchet Watchet.
No comment.
Watchet. Agree.WatchetWatchetOK (The Watchet exchange is located in Williton).
1992 Hoddesdon Lea Valley Suggest continuing to use Hoddesden.Consider Waltham Cross.Lea ValleyLea ValleyOK (BT and C&W each suggested a different name).
1994 St Clears Whitland Suggest continuing to use St Clears.Suggest using St Clears.St ClearsSt ClearsOK (using BT and C&W suggested name).
28 10,11Nothern [sic] Ireland National Diallingn/aNo comment.No comment.n/aNothern Ireland National Dialling (2003–2010) then corrected to Northern Ireland National Dialling in 2010.SABC now OK.
28 40 Banbridge Bambridge [sic]Spelling error. Use Banbridge.Spelling error. Use Banbridge.BanbridgeBanbridgeOK. Spelling error fixed in 2003.
28 43 Newcastle NewcastleNo comment.Could cause confusion. Suggest Newcastle (Co Down).Newcastle (Co. Down)Newcastle (2003–2010) then corrected to Newcastle (Co. Down) in 2010.NTNP OK.
SABC now OK (using C&W suggested name).
28 66 Enniskillen Enniskilen [sic]Spelling error. Use Enniskillen.Spelling error. Use Enniskillen.EnniskillenEnniskillenOK. Spelling error fixed in 2003.
28 81 Newtownstewart Newtonstewart [sic]Spelling error. Use Newtownstewart.Spelling error. Use Newtownstewart.NewtownstewartNewtownstewartOK. Spelling error fixed in 2003.
28 90 Belfast CityBelfastBelfast.
No comment.
Belfast. Agree.BelfastBelfast City (2003- ). Should be Belfast.NTNP OK.
Error in SABC. Should be Belfast.
28 91 Bangor BangorNo comment.Clashes with 1248. Suggest Bangor (Co Down).Bangor (Co. Down)Bangor (2003–2010) then corrected to Bangor (Co. Down) in 2010.NTNP OK.
SABC now OK.

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Widespread UK telephone code misconceptions, in particular brought on by the Big Number Change in 2000, have been reported by regulator Ofcom since publication of a report it commissioned in 2004.

020 Dialling code for London in the United Kingdom

020 is the national dialling code for London in the United Kingdom. All subscriber numbers within the area code consist of eight digits and it has capacity for approaching 100 million telephone numbers. The code is used at 170 telephone exchanges in and around Greater London as part of the largest linked numbering scheme in the United Kingdom. In common with all other British area codes the initial '0' is a trunk prefix that is not required when dialling London from abroad.

Openreach Limited is a company wholly owned by BT plc, that maintains the telephone cables, ducts, cabinets and exchanges that connect nearly all homes and businesses in the United Kingdom to the national broadband and telephone network. It was established in 2006 following an agreement between BT and the UK's telecoms regulator, Ofcom, to implement certain undertakings, pursuant to the Enterprise Act 2002, to ensure that rival telecom operators have equality of access to BT's local network.

A non-geographic number is a type of telephone number that is not linked to any specific locality. Such numbers are an alternative to the traditional 'landline' numbers that are assigned geographically using a system of location-specific area codes. Non-geographic numbers are used for various reasons, from providing flexible routing of incoming phone calls to generating revenue for paid-for services.

PhONEday 1995 day in which UK telephones were renumbered

PhONEday was a change to the telephone dialling plan in the United Kingdom on 16 April 1995. It changed geographic area codes and some telephone numbers. In most areas, a "1" was added to the dialling code after the initial zero. In Bristol, Leeds, Leicester, Nottingham and Sheffield, the area codes were replaced with new codes and the subscriber numbers gained an extra digit. The PhONEday changes also made provision for new ranges of subscriber numbers in those five cities. A £16m advertising campaign, and an eight-month period of parallel running during which old and new codes were active, preceded the change. PhONEday followed a change made in May 1990, when the old London area code 01 had been released from use, permitting all United Kingdom geographic numbers to begin with this prefix. Originally planned in 1991 to take place in 1994, in 1992 the change was postponed until the Easter Sunday bank holiday in 1995.

Internet in the United Kingdom Overview of the Internet in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has been involved with the Internet throughout its origins and development. The telecommunications infrastructure in the United Kingdom provides Internet access to businesses and home users in various forms, including fibre, cable, DSL, wireless and mobile.

Ranges for fictitious telephone numbers are common in most telephone numbering plans. One of the main reasons these ranges exist is to avoid accidentally using real phone numbers in movies and television programs because of viewers frequently calling the numbers used. In North America, the area served by the North American Numbering Plan (NANPA) system of area codes, fictitious telephone numbers are usually of the form (XXX) 555-xxxx. The use of 555 numbers in fiction, however, led a desire to assign some of them in the real world, and some of them are no longer suitable for use in fiction. Other areas have different fictitious telephone numbers.

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.

Area codes 809, 829, and 849 are telephone area codes in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) for the Dominican Republic. As all NANP members, the Dominican Republic uses country code 1, and has similar dialing procedures for dialing the ten-digit national telephone numbers, which consist of the area code, a three-digit central office code, and a four-digit line number. The three area codes of the country are organized as an overlay plan for a single numbering plan area (NPA), comprising the entire country. Thus, ten-digit dialing is mandatory.

Telephone numbers in the United Kingdom have a flexible structure that reflects their historical demands, starting from many independent companies through a nationalised near-monopoly, to a system that supports many different services, including cellular phones, which were not envisaged when the system was first built. Numbers evolved in a piecemeal fashion, with numbers initially allocated on an exchange-by-exchange basis for calls connected by manual operators. Subscriber numbers reflected demand in each area, with single digit telephone numbers in very rural areas and longer numbers in cities.

References

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