ET

ISSUE 2162 Friday 27 April 2001

New codes bring chaos for mobile phone users
By Robert Uhlig, Technology Correspondent

WIDESPREAD phone chaos is predicted for tomorrow when more than four million telephone numbers for mobile phones and pagers will be switched off.

The phone code change will also affect home alarms, vending machines, some computer systems and local rate and premium rate call services. But according to The Big Number, which is organising the phone code change, the majority of people do not realise that there is no simple rule for the new codes.

Mobile phone and pager numbers starting with 03, 04, 05, 08 and 09 will be switched off and replaced with codes starting with 07. Special rate numbers starting with 0375, 03745, 0541, 0645 and 0990 will change to codes starting with 08.

Howard Sandom, campaign manager for The Big Number, warned that unlike the code changes for London and several other cities last year, dialling the new mobile codes was not simply a matter of adding an extra digit. He 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 seven."

For example, the old mobile code 01426 changes to 07626 whereas the code 0585 changes to 07885. To make matters worse, people who send text messages to mobile phones or pagers using the old codes will be unaware that their messages have not got through. Callers who dial the wrong code will hear a recorded message.

Steve Thorpe, of the Telecommunications Users' Association, said he was expecting a greater degree of confusion and chaos tomorrow than at any previous time that phone codes had changed. He said: "A lot of people are going to be very confused. It's not a straightforward switch-over and that hasn't sunk in with most people."

An added problem is that many vending machines and home alarm systems now use mobile communication systems to alert suppliers that they need restocking or to warn homeowners of a possible break-in. Mr Thorpe said: "These will no longer work if they have not been reprogrammed to the new numbers."

Oftel, which instigated the number changes in response to the growth in telecommunications usage in Britain, has been widely criticised for not anticipating the large increase in demand for phone numbers. It has resulted in some areas, such as London, having to change their codes three times in less than 10 years.

The latest change might lose mobile phone users considerable business, said Stephen Alambritis, of the Federation of Small Business. "The telephone authorities seem to have forgotten to warn the public and small businesses about this shift. Publicity has been woeful," he said. "A lot of business is done on the mobile phone, particularly for sole traders such as plumbers, decorators and painters, and we feel they will suffer."

* Details of the new codes can be obtained from a freephone helpline on 0808 224 2000 or on the internet at www.numberchange.org

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001