Take me through the changes step by step

Why have you decided to extend the interim period before the changes to 0870 calls are implemented? Why not make the changes immediately?

Various factors have informed Ofcom's decision on timing of implementation:

• This is a major change for service providers and the communications providers that supply them and both groups will need time to prepare for the changes. Those service providers that choose to migrate to new numbers will need time to make preparations and to inform their customers of the new numbers.
• The interim period is also intended to minimise the costs incurred by services providers by giving them time to update their NTS numbers in stationery, catalogues, telephone directories and promotional materials as part of the normal cycle. Based on consultation responses from service providers Ofcom now believes that a longer period is required to avoid some service providers having to update stationery and promotional materials specially rather than as part of the normal business cycle.
• A large number of commercial agreements between service providers, communications providers and resellers concerning the delivery of 0870 services will also have to be renegotiated. Ofcom has therefore decided to extend the interim period from 12 to 18 months. Since there is a real possibility that the costs of changing numbers may be passed on to customers, minimising the costs would benefit consumers.
• Service providers that decide to move to new numbers because of changes to 0870 numbers will need to see the outcome of Ofcom's Numbering Review before they can decide where they should move to and start updating their telephone numbers in stationery and directory entries etc. The Numbering Review considers both Ofcom's policy for all telephone numbers (not just 08 numbers) and how Ofcom should manage future demand for numbers in the 08 range. Ofcom is currently consulting on its proposals and hopes to be publish a final policy statement in summer 2006.