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Dialling (020) 3 for London

London is going to get some extra telephone numbers, starting with (020) 3. These will be used alongside the existing (020) 7 and (020) 8 numbers. They will be given out to some residential and business customers who put in a new line or apply for a new telephone number from the autumn of 2005 onwards.

If you've got a (020) 7 or (020) 8 number - don't worry. You do not have to change your number.

All you need to remember is that when you see an (020) 3 telephone number, it's a London number, just like (020) 7 and (020) 8 - and of course the cost of a call is the same.

Section 56 of the Communications Act 2003 requires Ofcom to publish a National Telephone Numbering Plan and to review that Plan as required; Section 63 of the Act requires Ofcom to seek the best use of appropriate telephone numbers and to encourage efficiency and innovation.

Ofcom is introducing the extra (020) 3 numbers because London is growing, and more people and businesses want additional telephone numbers. Please find more information below on how Ofcom will allocate the additional (020) 3 numbers to telecoms companies - who will then in turn allocate these to their customers.

• Frequently asked questions [pdf]
• Guidance to Communications Providers on applying for 020 3 London numbers
• Excerpts from the 1997 Oftel statement on 'The National Numbering Scheme' [pdf]
• Slides from the Numbering Forum of 6 October 2004 [pdf]

Press Releases

• First London (020) 3 number blocks released from 1 June 2005
• Ofcom sets out approach to telephone numbering Plans include adding extra number sub-range for Greater London
• Ofcom launches public information campaign to support introduction of (020) 3 London telephone numbers

Published Research

• London telephone numbers - new sub-range for London: (020) 3
• Telephone numbering programme - The London Project: qualitative research report

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