It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Non-geographical telephone numbers in the UK . (Discuss)

03 numbers are non-geographic telephone numbers that were announced by UK communications regulator, Ofcom, in February 2007, with allocation starting in March 2007.^[1][2] They are formally known as UK-wide numbers and have been introduced as an alternative to 08 numbers, such as 087x and 084x numbers.^[1]

03 numbers offer the same benefits as all non-geographic numbers; including call divert, call queuing and call statistics.^{[citation needed]}

Contents 1 Call costs 1.1 Cost comparisons 2 Number ranges 3 03 number use 3.1 Healthcare 3.2 Public sector 4 References

[edit] Call costs

Unlike 08 numbers, 03 numbers cost the same to call as geographic landline numbers (starting 01 and 02), even from a mobile phone.^[1] They are also included as part of inclusive call minutes and discount schemes from all major mobile phone and landline operators.^[1]

The practice of revenue sharing (where the dialled party receives a share of the cost of the call) is not permitted with 03 numbers (unlike 08 numbers).^[1]

[edit] Cost comparisons

Number range	Mobile call cost[3][4][5]
03	Inclusive or at geographic rate
0800	20-20p/min
0844	20-55p/min
0845	20-30p/min
0870	20-29p/min
0871	35-50p/min

Note 0872 and 0873 are now also 'Reserved for Future Use' in the UK telephone number plan.

[edit] Number ranges

There are a range of numbers available for use by specific people or organisations:^[6]

• 030 numbers (0300 - 0309) - specifically designated for public bodies and not-for-profit organisations.
• 033 numbers (0330 - 0339) - available for any person, business or organisation.
• 03 migration numbers (034x, 037x) - only available for migration from an existing 08 number or range (084x and 087x).

[edit] 03 number use

[edit] Healthcare

In December 2006, Lord Norman Warner sent a letter to all Primary Care Trust Chief Executives drawing attention to the Central Office of Information guidance on telephone numbering, which suggested that healthcare providers consider adopting an 03 telephone number so that people "do not have to pay over the odds to contact their local services".^[7][8]

Since then, there has been much discussion in the media about the use of 0844 numbers in the healthcare sector, mainly due to the costs incurred by people who have to dial these numbers as the primary form of contact with their local healthcare services.^{[9][10][11][12]}

Health Secretary Alan Johnson has also publicly advocated the use of 03 numbers.^[13] Windsor Telecom has also published the first ever 0300 number guide for the healthcare sector.^[14]

[edit] Public sector

On 14 October 2008, the Metropolitan Police Service launched its new 0300 non-emergency telephone number: 0300 123 1212.^[15] The force joins Durham, Essex, Northumbria, Staffordshire and West Mercia constabularies who also now use 03 numbers.^[16]

[edit] References