Non-Geographic (0300) Telephone Numbering

EB Paper

Agenda Item 6 Executive Board Meeting Memo No 21/12 26 September 2012

NON-GEOGRAPHIC (0300) TELEPHONE NUMBERING

Purpose

1. To seek approval from the EB for the introduction of non-geographic telephone numbering across the FC.

Background

2. Following an extensive tendering exercise we have appointed Level 3 to provide Communications services until June 2016. As part of the new contract we will be replacing the fixed line telephone system across the FC and this provides the ideal opportunity to rationalise the phone numbering scheme.

3. The 0300 number range has been exclusively allocated for government departments and not-for-profit organisations and is already used extensively by DEFRA, the Scottish Government, and FC Wales amongst many others.

4. Members of the public calling 0300 numbers will never be charged more than normal geographic numbers from both land lines and mobiles and will be free on many call plans.

Proposal Details

5. It is proposed that all fixed line phone numbers in Scotland and England are migrated to 0300 numbers over the next 12 months as the new phone system is rolled out. (Wales already use 0300 numbers which will not change.)

6. The benefits of 0300 numbers are:

- Reduced telephony costs in the region of £60,000pa

- Phone numbers can move with the individual to any location

- Simplified internal 4 digit dialling across all FC sites

- Consistency of internal extension and external numbers

- Easy re-routing of calls for mobile and home workers

- Retention of numbers when sites open/close

- Better integration with audio conferencing

7. The implementation of the new scheme will result in some business disruption such as the re-printing of stationery, updating of web pages etc.

8. Business disruption will be minimised by having a period of duel numbering followed by number re-routing with an advisory messages before the existing phone numbers are finally discontinued.

9. There are no resource implications for IS as this will be implemented as part of the telephony replacement project at no additional cost. There will be some resource requirements across the business to up-date web pages and publicity materials etc.

Risk Assessment

10. There is no significant business risk associated with this proposal provided the implementation project is well managed and the business is kept fully informed of the changes.

Communications Issues

11. There will be a detailed communication plan to keep the business fully informed and to manage the change over. This plan will be developed in conjunction with Level 3 as part of the implementation project.

Implementation Proposal

12. The 0300 numbering scheme will be implemented as part of the telephony replacement project which will be rolled out over the coming year starting in Silvan House and followed by NRS and Alice Holt, the plan thereafter will be the result of further discussion with the business. The project will be led by our telecommunications partner, Level 3, who has extensive experience with this type of project.

Recommendation

13. The EB are invited to support the introduction of 0300 numbers across the FC.

David FelsteadDirector, Information Services3 September 2012

2 | Non-Geographic Telephone Numbering | 31/10/2012