Harmonised European Numbers For Services Of Social Value : Proposed allocation and charging arrangements for 116 numbers in the UK | Ofcom

Harmonised European Numbers For Services Of Social Value : Proposed allocation and charging arrangements for 116 numbers in the UK | Ofcom

Ofcom is holding a consultation on the UK's implementation of Numbers for Services of Social Value which will begin with the 116 prefix. 116 number will be followed by another 3 digits i.e. 116xxx. This is a European harmonised number range and the same services will be available in all EU member countries on the same number.

Three numbers have already been allocated, these being: -

* 116000 hotline for missing children.

* 116111 child helplines.

* 116123 emotional support helplines.

The EU has stated these should be "free" numbers, but the meaning of free is not the same across all EU countries, so pricing needs to be determined.

Also there may be several organisations who offer services and would want to offer the particular 116 service and Ofcom need to decide how the allocation to a particular organisation should be made.

The consultation closes on 10|12|2008.