O55 - that's my business number

By Steve Malone

Posted on 31 Mar 2003 at 11:43

Businesses will be able to 'own' the telephone numbers they use for voice, data and mobile calls under new proposals made by Oftel.

These numbers would be covered under a new 055 corporate numbering scheme. Oftel sees the scheme as primarily of interest to larger companies with their own private internal networks or who are based across a range of locations.

It would allow them, for example, to have a common set of numbers for all their employees, even those working at different locations or whether they were on fixed lines or mobiles. It would also mean that companies would not need to change their numbers when they moved location.

Oftel is now going to initiate consultations with interested parties this summer to discuss implementation of the plan 'later this year'. However, the idea of 'corporate numbering' can be said to lack urgency. In 1997, Oftel decided there might be a demand for corporate numbering and set the 05 range aside whilst the regulatory body thought about it. It seems its still thinking.

Details of the proposal are on the Oftel web site.