03 for the BBC

I was listening to BBC Radio One over the weekend and it is now using an 03 number as its main studio line!

This is great, as I can imagine a large percentage of listeners will be contacting the station using their mobile phones. This means that they will not be charged more than a standard 01 or 02 number to do so and their call could even be free, as 03 numbers are included in the free minutes that are provided by mobile and landline networks.

Radio 2 has also started using them too!

Have you heard / seen anyone else using an 03 number?
Let us know - post a message below.

0300 for Oxfam!

Oxfam has started using 0300 numbers!

The charity is now using the numbers, which are specifically allocated for public bodies and the not-for-profit sector, as its main contact lines from its website.

To read more go to http://www.oxfam.org.uk/contact/0300.html

New 0300 Guide

We have just published the first ever guide to 0300 numbers for the healthcare sector.

The FREE 7-page guide, explores:

• What 0300 numbers are.

• How they differ from other memorable telephone numbers.

• Why they are being advocated by Lord Warner and Health Secretary Alan Johnson for use in the healthcare industry.

• The true costs involved in setting up and running an 0300 number.

Download your FREE copy now.

Targetmaster Demo

When is a number not just a number?

When it’s a Windsor Telecom memorable number that comes FREE with our hugely popular Targetmaster service... That’s when!

With Targetmaster you can instantly divert your calls to another landline or mobile* at the touch of a button. 24/7, 365 days a year – perfect for disaster recovery if your landline goes down.

Targetmaster is incredibly powerful, yet exceptionally easy to use.

And now you can see for yourself – take a look at our brand new Targetmaster demo!

Let us know what you think – feel free to post a comment below.

*With Targetmaster Plus

Julia's Mayhem

JULIA GEARS UP FOR 24 HOUR MOUNTAIN MAYHEM

24 hours of cycling, sounds tough.

24 hours of cycling, up steep hills, sounds tougher.

24 hours of cycling up steep hills and off-road through the forests of Herefordshire sounds like an absolute nightmare!

But, that’s what our Julia is doing this summer.

She’s swapping her ‘Head of Systems and Projects’ cap for a set of cycling clips and is taking part in Giant’s Mountain Mayhem 2008, which is happening between 20th and 22nd June at Eastnor Castle in Ledbury.

Julia’s heading up ‘Team Windsor’, which also includes her partner, Marcus. The team of five will be taking it in turns to complete the eight mile, off-road relay on a rotational basis for the duration of the 24 hour event. The race demands strong teamwork and organisational skills alongside excellent fitness and stamina.

Julia said, “I am really excited about this challenge! I have never been involved in anything like this before so I have been following a vigorous 12 week training plan to bring my fitness levels up. Marcus and I also regularly complete 20 mile cycles along the Purbecks and we have been riding up some incredibly steep mountain trails in Wales too – so hopefully Team Windsor will reign triumphant!”

Julia is no stranger to competition after reaching the final 25 in last year’s Formula Woman Championship.

Good luck Julia and the team from all of us at Windsor Telecom!

May 0870 Update

Ofcom has set out new proposals to provide clarity about the price of calls to 0870 numbers and strengthen consumer protection on calls to 0871 numbers.

Ofcom have released a consultation document that proposes that all calls to 0870 numbers should normally cost no more than calls to geographic numbers (01 or 02 numbers) and that 0870 calls should be included in communications providers’ call packages price plans on the same basis as geographic calls.

This may significantly reduce the cost of calling these numbers.

Ofcom’s proposals would effectively end revenue sharing on 0870 numbers when combined with other proposed changes to non-geographic call regulation.

Communications providers that want to charge 0870 calls at rates above those for geographic numbers would be bound by strict rules about how prices are publicised and would be responsible for ensuring their customers know what 0870 calls cost.

If communications providers do not comply with these rules, they could be subject to penalties including possible fines.

Separately, Ofcom also published a consultation setting out proposals to improve consumer protection for calls to the most expensive 08 numbers (0871 numbers) by bringing these within the remit of the premium rate services regulator PhonepayPlus (formerly called ICSTIS).

Under PhonepayPlus rules, businesses would be required to publish the price of calls in their advertising and promotional materials and PhonepayPlus would also investigate complaints about excessively long call queuing times only after the complaint has first been referred to the service provider.

Ofcom aims to have the proposed changes in place by the autumn.