From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

Lots of fascinating numbers, including "Location Independent Electronic Communications
Service", i.e. a VOIP phone number.

What is a 6-digit Non-Geographic Number Portability Code?

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/phones-telecoms-and-internet/information-for-industry/numbering/other/national-numbering-plan.pdf

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/accessibility/general-conditions-of-entitlement
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From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

Richmond wrote:

What is a 6-digit Non-Geographic Number Portability Code?

Dunno, but with only 800 of them available, I don't suppose they're
involved in individual ports of 'normal' phone numbers ... maybe to re-allocate number blocks between providers if they go bust etc?


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From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> writes:

Richmond wrote:

What is a 6-digit Non-Geographic Number Portability Code?

Dunno, but with only 800 of them available, I don't suppose they're
involved in individual ports of 'normal' phone numbers ... maybe to re-allocate number blocks between providers if they go bust etc?

I see there is also a 6-digit Geographic Number Portability
Code. According to NotebookLM, Facilitating Switching: The primary use
of these codes is to allow a subscriber to keep their geographic
telephone number (one starting with an 01 or 02 area code) when they
switch their service to a different communications provider.

I see also that most of the area codes are restricted, which means
apparently they are only allocated to prividers in blocks of 1000. So in
theory you could tell from a number who the original provider was.

01234 Bedford must be highly sought after.
01666 Malmesbury
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From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:

Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> writes:

Richmond wrote:

What is a 6-digit Non-Geographic Number Portability Code?

Dunno, but with only 800 of them available, I don't suppose they're involved in individual ports of 'normal' phone numbers ... maybe to re-allocate number blocks between providers if they go bust etc?

I see there is also a 6-digit Geographic Number Portability
Code. According to NotebookLM, Facilitating Switching: The primary use
of these codes is to allow a subscriber to keep their geographic
telephone number (one starting with an 01 or 02 area code) when they
switch their service to a different communications provider.

That's just an expansion of the name. It doesn't enlighten what they are
used for, likely because it doesn't have any more of a clue than we do.

I see also that most of the area codes are restricted, which means
apparently they are only allocated to prividers in blocks of 1000. So in theory you could tell from a number who the original provider was.

Indeed you can. This is exploited by phone scammers, as in 'Hello, I'm
calling from Virgin Media about your contract...'

(which of course doesn't wash if you've since ported the number away from
the original provider)

Theo
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From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> writes:

That's just an expansion of the name. It doesn't enlighten what they are
used for, likely because it doesn't have any more of a clue than we do.

It said a bit more than that:

"Usage and Implementation Facilitating Switching: The primary use of
these codes is to allow a subscriber to keep their geographic telephone
number (one starting with an 01 or 02 area code) when they switch their
service to a different communications provider .

Internal Network Function: Because they are used for network purposes,
these codes act as behind-the-scenes addresses that help different
providers route calls to the correct destination once a number has been
moved from its original network .

Technical Flexibility: Although these codes are allocated for
portability, the Plan clarifies that the Portability of Telephone
Numbers does not strictly have to be enabled by using these specific
Number Portability Codes

. Providers may use other technical mechanisms to achieve portability. Regulatory Compliance: Any communications provider using these codes
must ensure they are used strictly in accordance with the designations
set out in the National Telephone Numbering Plan ."
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From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

I found some data here:

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/phone-numbers/numbering-data

There are many companies I have never heard of, e.g. Need More Time Ltd.
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From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

Richmond <dnomhcir@gmx.com> wrote:

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> writes:

That's just an expansion of the name. It doesn't enlighten what they are used for, likely because it doesn't have any more of a clue than we do.

It said a bit more than that:

"Usage and Implementation Facilitating Switching: The primary use of
these codes is to allow a subscriber to keep their geographic telephone number (one starting with an 01 or 02 area code) when they switch their service to a different communications provider .

Internal Network Function: Because they are used for network purposes,
these codes act as behind-the-scenes addresses that help different
providers route calls to the correct destination once a number has been
moved from its original network .

OK, I suppose you could use that for routing purposes. ie the number block owner sets the number to forward to 504227 when the number has been ported
to Virgin Media. That gets trunked to VM who then work out which subscriber
it is and how to deliver it.

Companies you've never heard of are likely to be holding companies owned by
one of the players. eg A&A had a cunning little wheeze: https://www.revk.uk/2014/03/the-new-number-tax.html

Theo
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From Newsgroup: uk.telecom

On 2026/4/11 12:44:27, Richmond wrote:

[]

01234 Bedford must be highly sought after.
01666 Malmesbury

The (telephone) number of the beast?
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Europeans see luxury as a badge of civilisation. Whereas we [British]
have shabbiness as a badge of civilisation.
- Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, in Radio Times 12-18 October 2013
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