You will have noticed that we have 055 telephone numbers, such as 05555400000. But what are 055 numbers?
055 numbers are corporate numbering. This means that they are allocated by OFCOM to an end user (a corporation) directly and not to a telco.
Telephone numbering space in the UK is managed by OFCOM. Blocks of numbers, typically 10,000 or 1,000 numbers at a time, are allocated by OFCOM to telephone companies (telcos). The telco can assign numbers to end users.
It is usually possible to port a number between telcos if you want, but the calls still get routed by the original telco.
Corporate numbering means a block of numbers are allocated by OFCOM to a company. They can then negotiate with a telco to host the numbers for them. They can, however, move the numbers to another telco if they want. This is not like porting where the number goes to the original owner and is redirected - the number block is effectively owned by the company.
There are many reasons. Getting a large number block from a telco can be expensive. It also ties you to that telco to some extent, and means you are dependant on that telco. With new smaller telcos comming on to the market, this could be risky for a large business.
A block of corporate numbers is at least 10,000 numbers, so allows plenty of scope for direct dial numbers, blocks of numbers for different offices, and golden numbers to be picked.
The cost of calling an 055 number is not set by OFCOM. It is set when the company owning the numbers negotiates with a telco to route the numbers. In out case we felt the the most sensible rate is the same as 056 (voice over IP numbering) as that would be best understood by callers and not expensive.
We could have set the numbers at a genuine local rate, or even free, if we wanted to, but whilst BT may have honoured that we did not feel all telcos and mobile operators would bill the same.
For our numbers we have set the rate the same as 056 and 03 numbering, which is between local and national rate from BT and included in BT discount packages the same as geographic numbers. However, unlike 03 where OFCOM define pricing as the same as 01 and 02, for 055 other telcos could charge what they like. This is one reason we think 03 numbers make more sense now.
Talk to us! We are hoping to be able to get corporate numbering for customers. We provide voice over IP services, phone systems and phones, as well as broadband connectivity - so this is just part of a complete corporate telecomes solutions.
New 03 numbers, and OFCOMs refusal to register corporate number blocks in the name of the customer, mean that new 03 numbering is likely to be a more attractive options. We can arrange 03 number blocks, and allocations of 10,000 blocks for customers as required.