03 Phone numbers aiding mobile phone callers get the most out of there calls
UK communications regulator, Ofcom has recently published its sixth annual Communications Market Report which analyses and reports trends in the television, radio and telecoms industries.
One of the most fascinating findings from the report is the fact that in 2008, 44.5% of all UK calls were from mobile phones. This has increased by nearly 4% since 2007 and Ofcom has stated that if this trend continues the amount of mobile calls will overtake landline calls in 2010.
These statistics prove the importance (and reliance) of people on their mobile phones.
One of the main reasons that mobiles are so popular is the fact that tariffs often come with free or inclusive minutes. So, rather than pay for the call on a landline, people are using their mobile to use up their free allowances. These free minutes can be used to call all regular landline numbers (e.g. 01 and 02) and also the new 03 numbers.
03 numbers are non-geographic numbers (like 0845 numbers, 0800 numbers etc.) that enable organisations to smarten up the way they deal with their calls. 03 numbers work in tandem with any landline/mobile which means that no extra or additional equipment is needed for them to operate. The call management features that work with 03 numbers can be controlled completely online. Popular call features include giving caller options (e.g. “press 1 for sales, 2 for general enquiries” etc.) and professional introduction messages (”Welcome to organisation ABC etc.)
Many organisations, including SMEs, large corporations, public bodies and charities are now using an 03 number because of the sophisticated call management it offers them and the fact that they are giving their mobile and landline callers a great deal. In fact, once callers have exhausted their monthly free minutes they’ll only pay the same to call a normal landline number. These transparent call costs mean that people are actually encouraged to phone organisations with 03 numbers.
The BBC, Met Police, Comic Relief, Absolute Radio and Pioneer are amongst the thousands of organisations now using 03 phone numbers
