Take me through the changes step by step

When the changes to 0870 numbers are implemented, how will 0870 differ from the new 03 number range proposed in Ofcom's Numbering Review? Why would organisations choose to use 03 instead?

The 0870 and 03 ranges will be very similar after the changes to 0870 are implemented. Both with have tariffs linked to geographic rates and neither will support revenue sharing in practice.

The changes to 0870 are designed to repair the linkage to geographic tariffs that is currently broken whilst allowing service providers to retain their existing numbers if they wish.

Ofcom has proposed to introduce the 03 range to accommodate future growth for services that do not require revenue sharing since the 0870 range is filling up and will eventually run out of spare capacity.

Ofcom's hopes that in time the new range will become trusted by consumers as covering clearly-understood services and price ranges. Some organisations currently using 0870 numbers may find the 03 brand attractive and decide to move their services to 03 numbers.