Business Podcasting Blog

This year (2008), the BBC announced that it would be swapping all of its 0870 telephone numbers for the new 03 number equivalent: 0370.Certain areas have changed and you can find the new 03 numbers being advertised on Radio 1 and Radio 2 and across its regional television network, for example.The flagship fundraising event, Children in Need also used an 03 number as its main donation line.  This is some great telecom news. Here are several facts why the BBC has chosen 03 numbers:

1. Different to 0845 numbers, 03 numbers cost the same to ring as standard 01/02 phone numbers even from a mobile phone (40% of telephone calls are now dialled from mobiles).

2. People believe in 03 numbers because of their transparent call charges. This is specifically relavent for the BBC which relies on funding from license-fee payers. 03 numbers are caller friendly and as such not subject to bad publicity.

3. 03 equivalent numbers are available which lets organisations swap their 08 numbers for 03. On the other hand, some very memorable 03 numbers (0333 or 0300 etc.) can be purchased as the number series is still fairly new.

4. Most non-geographic numbers, 03 numbers give the BBC a national presence. This meant it can produce one specific memorable number throughout the UK - which is not location focused. This is particularly important for its national TV and radio services.

5. The BBC can deal with callers more readily by using call management systems to their 03 numbers.

6. Its various departments can manage where they want to get their calls (especially out of hours and in an emergency) easily via the web/phone.

7. They can see the location of callers, busy periods and the time taken to answer all calls with online call statistics packages.

8. It’s possible to record calls to 03 numbers without bringing in expensive physical equipment.

9. Callers can be queued, meaning that all important calls will be dealt with.

10. They can frequently be inexpensive to run if you look for the provider with the best package in the market. It’s clear that 03 numbers are fast becoming the telephone number of choice for many UK organisations. Hopefully, the 10 points above should offer a starting point to the reasons why the 03 number is so popular.