Concerns for proposed changes to phone numbers
Local charity Sight Support Derbyshire is concerned that proposed telephone number changes could potentially affect thousands of blind and partially sighted people following Ofcom's warning that numbers are running out.
Communications regulator Ofcom have released new plans which will mean that many traditional six-digit numbers will no longer work and users will need to dial the number including the national dialling code even when making a local call.
The changes are reportedly being forced by the growing numbers of companies offering telephone services which has led to an increased demand to supply phone numbers with the areas of Bradford, Cambridge and Aberdeen being amongst those places where phone numbers are now so scarce that addition of the national code is likely to be set in place before 2016. Ofcom have said that the plans will only affect some numbers beginning 01 and this will avoid the need to change existing numbers. Call charges will also not be affected.
The changes are due to come into force next year and Ofcom plan to work with communication providers to keep local communities informed.
A statement from Sight Support Derbyshire's Befriending Project Leader reports, "We would urge the Ofcom to work with us to ensure that if any changes are made to dialling codes in Derbyshire that the over 25,000 blind and partially sighted people are properly informed of the new changes ahead of time. The proposed changes cause particular problems for people with a visual impairment as many will need additional support to adapt. We've helped hundreds of people to setup preset numbers for their friends, family and support organisations which will all need to be changed at considerable time and cost. We've worked closely with the government to support the changes to the Digital TV switchover and we hope that Ofcom will engage with us and our service users to ensure that visually impaired people are not adversely affected by the changes."
BT currently provide a free directory enquiries service which is available to people with visual impairments and those with other disabilities who experience difficulty using a phone book. Once registered customers can just call 195 and a BT will look up the number free of charge. Anyone registered can also enjoy the use of the 1471 return call service free so you will not be charged a connection fee (when you press 3 to return the call).
To find out more about this free directory enquiries service, call 0800 587 0195 and ask for the registration team.
loading...