Choosing a Phone Number from BT

[535dman]

I have seen many business/personal numbers which people have chosen (for instance I know someone with 3 numbers all ending in 888) - how can this be done - BT say you can't choose your phone number and wont be given it until the line has been connected?

Any ideas?

[andyps]

You can buy numbers which are memorable starting with things like 0845 etc. Doing a google search for regional or geographic memorable phoe numbers throws up a few possibilities.

In terms of getting them from BT when I set up my business and then when I moved to office premises and needed a new number I was offered a choice of numbers which were available, hence I now have one which ends 000 to make it easier for people to remember. Just ask them what number options exist during the discussions.

[joewilliams]

If you have a need for a large block of DDI numbers, you will always be able to find some memorable ones.

For example, a few years ago I ordered 150 DDIs for a client. BT allocated them a block of 150 numbers, 01xxx 411600 - 411749. I could make:
411600
411611
411666
411700
411711

[Simpo Two]

andyps said:

You can buy numbers which are memorable starting with things like 0845 etc. Doing a google search for regional or geographic memorable phoe numbers throws up a few possibilities.

Anyone with a calling package (like me), will have to pay extra to ring you.

I won't remember your number anyway, just give me an 01/02 number because I can ring it for free. Thankyou.

[rpguk]

Simpo Two said:

andyps said:

You can buy numbers which are memorable starting with things like 0845 etc. Doing a google search for regional or geographic memorable phoe numbers throws up a few possibilities.

Anyone with a calling package (like me), will have to pay extra to ring you.

I won't remember your number anyway, just give me an 01/02 number because I can ring it for free. Thankyou.

Agreed!

However, I usually find that the better numbers go to business customers generally. Not that it's a guarentee you'll be lucky enough to get one though.

There are third parties who are able to sell you a number too, these guys for example - http://www.windsor-telecom.co.uk/0207-london-numbe... (found via google, not used them myself)

[535dman]

Sorry should have made it clearer - I am looking for a normal phone number (0208, 0207 type) and not an 0870, 0845 type of number. I know there are companies where you can buy 0845's etc but not sure about how to get a good "normal" number?

[andyps]

Simpo Two said:

andyps said:

You can buy numbers which are memorable starting with things like 0845 etc. Doing a google search for regional or geographic memorable phoe numbers throws up a few possibilities.

Anyone with a calling package (like me), will have to pay extra to ring you.

I won't remember your number anyway, just give me an 01/02 number because I can ring it for free. Thankyou.

I also agree - I find the non-geographic numbers really frustrating, but don't know of a supplier for them and therefore couldn't make a recommendation. What I do like though is this site - say no to 0870 - which can often get you the actual number behind the non-geographic one.

Edited by andyps on Tuesday 4th December 16:44

[nekrum]

Hi

It is possible to choose geographical numbers but only from a bank that a VOIP provider has bought from BT / another. I depends on the VOIP provider and you would have to use them in conjunction with SIP (VOIP) lines via broadband.

We are traditional voice reseller and are currently negotiating with some teir1 VOIP carriers and have stipulated number choice as part of the contract.

If anyone has a specific requirement drop me a line..

[brow]

If you are obtaining lines from BT directly you can scroll through numbers listed on their database. This choice is limited to how long the salesperson is willing to search for. Restrictions also apply if you have DDI, featureline or featurnet services etc etc.
If using another service provider it may have terms and conditions that restrict choice plus only able to number it has bought from BT.

[rpguk]

535dman said:

Sorry should have made it clearer - I am looking for a normal phone number (0208, 0207 type) and not an 0870, 0845 type of number. I know there are companies where you can buy 0845's etc but not sure about how to get a good "normal" number?

Site I linked to above does them

[MHT223]

If you ask BT to bring up the local numbers available to you they can read through them to you, although it took a while to find someone that was willing to do it.

The numbers in my village all start with 87 and I managed to get 87 13 13 for my business

[Simpo Two]

535dman said:

Sorry should have made it clearer - I am looking for a normal phone number (0208, 0207 type) and not an 0870, 0845 type of number. I know there are companies where you can buy 0845's etc but not sure about how to get a good "normal" number?

Ah right - well my experience when I wanted a new line installed (that was 1991 mind) was that they gave me a choice of 3 or 4 consecutive numbers, which I presume were the next in line to be allocated.

Perhaps what we need is 'phone number forwarding', like e-mail and web forwarding...

[rpguk]

Simpo Two said:

535dman said:

Sorry should have made it clearer - I am looking for a normal phone number (0208, 0207 type) and not an 0870, 0845 type of number. I know there are companies where you can buy 0845's etc but not sure about how to get a good "normal" number?

Ah right - well my experience when I wanted a new line installed (that was 1991 mind) was that they gave me a choice of 3 or 4 consecutive numbers, which I presume were the next in line to be allocated.

Perhaps what we need is 'phone number forwarding', like e-mail and web forwarding...

It exists, most decent VOIP services will do it. I have an OK (not great, but could if I wanted to pay more) 020 number which forwards to my mobile. Costs me to receive calls but it does work fine.

[535dman]

Update: BT gave me a list of around 10 numbers out of which one was decent - thanks for you help guys

[mcflurry]

Telewest gave me 2 "good numbers" for joining
I got *x* *x* and *x*x*x simply for asking