Non geographic number systems or NGNs offer businesses the option of routing calls to multiple landlines and mobile numbers. The system also provides several call management features including voicemail, IVR, and fax to email services. These numbers are called non geographic numbers because they are not attached to any geographical location unlike 01 and 02 numbers. They can point to existing landline, mobile numbers and can also be routed to an international number. Large and small businesses have increasingly turned to non geographic numbers due to the wide range of facilities available. Besides, these numbers prove to be cost effective.
Build customer base
0800 numbers are freephone numbers which are free for callers, since the company that installs them pays for the calls they receive, making them an effective marketing tool. For an organisation, this is a great way to build up a customer base and is a good exercise at brand imaging as well.0844 and
0845 numbers
0844 numbers and 0845 numbers gradually replaced the old 0345 operated by BT and 0645 numbers by Cable and Wireless. Prior to 2004, 0845 numbers were charged at local call rates according to the location of the caller. However, since operators charge customers different rates for long-distance and local calls, the cost of a call in some cases is more than a local call. These numbers are an ideal way for firms to advertise their products or services nationally and build up a professional image and are generally used by service departments of public sectors and other companies as well.
03 numbers
0300 numbers including 0330 numbers and 03 numbers were introduced as an option for 084x and 087x services for companies where call revenue sharing was not appropriate. 030 numbers are assigned by Ofcom to charities, public services, government offices and councils. Calls to these numbers cost the same as landline calls. Mobile and landline operators include them in 'free minutes' package.
Premium rate numbers
premium rate numbers are generally used for technical support services. These calls are charged at a higher rate, going up to 1.50 per minute. These numbers are popular for chatlines and phone-ins as well, making it a 2 billion industry in the UK. Charges are paid by the caller, while the revenue is split between the business and the telephone operator. The numbers have strict guidelines for promotion and content, set by the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS).
