This section provides information about UK telephone numbers, and allows communications providers to apply for telephone numbers from the National Numbering Scheme. It also provides information on numbering policy and related guidance.
National Telephone Numbering Plan
Ofcom publishes a list of UK area codes in the National Telephone Numbering Plan (PDF, 662.0 KB).
A number of the definitions in the Numbering Plan have the meanings ascribed to them in the General Conditions of Entitlement. Conditions B1 to B4, C6 and C7 contain provisions particularly relevant to the use of phone numbers.
For reference, we have provided a table of recent amendments to the National Telephone Numbering Plan in the section below.
Applying for telephone numbers
Ofcom’s Number Management System (NMS) allows communications providers to apply for the allocation of numbers and to manage their existing resource. Ofcom uses NMS in performing its duties in managing the UK’s telephone numbers. Communications providers are required to provide certain information when applying for numbers. We require this information in order to carry out our numbering duties under the Communications Act 2003. Please see Ofcom’s General Privacy Statement for further information about how Ofcom handles your personal information and your corresponding rights.
If you have any queries, please contact the Numbering team on 0300 123 3000.
Harmonised European numbers for harmonised services of social value (116XXX numbers)
Information on 116 numbers, including register of numbers available in the UK and details of the comparative selection process.
The National Numbering Scheme – telephone numbers administered by Ofcom
We publish data on which UK telephone numbers are available for allocation or are allocated, and aim to update these files every Wednesday.
We also publish lists of codes for use by communications providers (CPs) in number porting and other administrative tasks.
Number block allocations
To help CPs keep track, we publish lists of number allocations made over a rolling 12-month period. Communications providers are responsible for keeping their own records up to date.
There are two lists, in MS Excel format:
Telephone numbers beginning 01-09 (XLSX, 125.5 KB)
Codes used for indirect access, and directory enquiries ("DQ") (XLSX, 11.1 KB)
Long-term protected number ranges not available for allocation, adoption or use
To help CPs identify numbers that are not available for allocation, adoption or use on a long-term basis, we publish a list of number ranges that are protected and will not be made available for use without public consultation. CPs may refer to the list to help identify calls with invalid or non-dialable CLI Data and prevent such calls from being connected to the called party (see General Condition C6). The list includes:
- number ranges not designated for use in the National Telephone Numbering Plan; and
- numbers set aside for use in TV and radio drama programmes.
Guidance on the provision of Calling Line Identification facilities and other related services - Ofcom
This guidance on how telephone numbers should be carried through different networks and the responsibilities of different parties involved in the routing of a call.
Good Practice Guide to help prevent misuse of sub-allocated and assigned numbers (PDF, 437.4 KB)
This document provides guidance on knowing your customers to help prevent misuse through the sub-allocation and assignment of telephone numbers.
(Publication date: 22 November 2022)
Geographic telephone numbers: Guidance for communications providers on the administrative arrangements for the pilot scheme to charge for geographic numbers
This document provides guidance on the administrative arrangements for the pilot scheme. (Publication date: 27 March 2013)
Harmonised European numbers for harmonised services of social value (116XXX numbers)
Information on 116 numbers, including register of numbers available in the UK and details of the comparative selection process
Code of practice for numbers in 'closed' ranges
For example 0800 Freephone range.
Guidance on bodies eligible to use ‘030’ telephone numbers
Current version published 03|10|08
Personal numbering – guidance on the acceptable use of 070 numbers
Guidance on acceptable use of 070 telephone numbers. Revised 24 January 2004
Number portability
Number portability is a facility which enables customers to change their service provider while retaining their existing telephone number.
Telephone numbers for use in TV and radio drama programmes
Ofcom continues to receive requests for geographic numbers to be used for drama purposes. In the light of this, Ofcom has set out below a range of geographic telephone numbers recommended for drama purposes (1000 numbers within each geographic area code).
Reseller identification codes (RIDs) are a type of code that Ofcom allocates to communications providers (CPs) for administrative purposes. They are three-character alphabetic codes which are used in the Notification of Transfer (NoT) switching process and can be used it identify a reseller of wholesale services.
A full list of allocated RID codes (XLSX, 824.1 KB) is updated every week, usually on Wednesday.
If you wish to apply for a RID code, you can do so by using Ofcom’s number management system (NMS).
If you have any queries, please contact the Numbering team on 0300 123 3000.
To ensure the best use of limited numbering resources, Ofcom will occasionally withdraw numbering ranges from companies which have dissolved, gone into liquidation or closed. We typically allow a period of time after announcing these withdrawals, to make sure these numbers are not in use by other consumers or communications providers. The current withdrawal proposals are below.
Companies with allocated number ranges that are no longer trading (PDF, 1020.4 KB)
Last updated 25 September 2023
Please also find an additional file, which includes all the affected number ranges in CSV format.
Companies with allocated number ranges that are no longer trading (CSV, 92.2 KB)
The table below sets out a list of amendments to the Numbering Plan since 5 June 2017, in order to assist users in referring to relevant notifications. It is not intended to be a comprehensive history of all amendments.
| Version in force form | Part | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 11 April 2025 | B3 |
Prohibition of revenue sharing with end-users or calling parties on geographic numbers, corporate numbers and radiopaging services.
Prohibition of revenue sharing with calling parties on non‑geographic numbers starting 084 or 087. Both notified in the statement on revenue sharing published 11 October 2024. We have deleted the Annex which duplicated General Condition B1 as the most recent versions of this Condition can be found in our consolidated General Conditions of Entitlement. |
| 11 October 2024 | A1 |
Deletion of obsolete 082 designation (Non-Geographic Numbers: Internet for schools), notified in our Statement on revenue sharing published 11 October 2024. |
| 11 March 2022 | B3 |
Removal of the local dialling requirement. Notified in our statement on Future of telephone numbers: Statement on geographic numbering published on 11 March 2022. |
| 17 December 2021 | Definitions |
Amendments to the National Telephone Numbering Plan definitions to reflect changes in the General Conditions of Entitlement. Notified in our statement on Implementing the new Electronic Communications Code published on 17 December 2020 (Annex 8 Notification, Part 2). |
| 4 January 2021 | Definitions |
Minor amendments in relation to the UK leaving the EU. Notified in our statement on Implementing the new Electronic Communications Code published on 17 December 2020 (Annex 8 Notification, Part 1). |
| 18 September 2019 | Definitions, A1 |
Amendments to reflect the renumbering of the General Conditions of Entitlement. Notified in our statement and consultation on Review of the General Conditions of Entitlement published on 19 September 2017. |
| 26 April 2018 | A3 |
Notified in our statement on revising the guidance on the provision of Calling Line Identification facilities, published on 26 April 2018. |
| 5 June 2017 | B3 |
Notified in our statement on withdrawing the 0500 number range, published on 3 June 2014. |
If you have any queries about anything on this page, please contact Ofcom’s numbering team:
· Phone: 0300 123 3000
· Email: numbering@ofcom.org.uk