This week the local phone number blog is continuing its profile of areas with popular virtual local phone numbers by looking at a city with a proud and great history and heritage. Liverpool is a major port and city on Merseyside in the north west of England in the UK.
Liverpool was founded in 1207, and celebrated its 800th anniversary in 2007. However, it took many centuries to grow into the major city that it is today, as 300 years later the population of Liverpool was only around 500 people. Liverpool grew dramatically as the result of it being a major port, so that by the 19th century, an incredible 40% of the world's trade passed through Liverpool's port.
In 1830 the first inter-city railway link was built connecting Liverpool and Manchester, and the population grew dramatically in the 1840s as many Irish migrants fled the potato famine and headed to the west coast of England. By 1851, 25% of the population of Liverpool was Irish born.
Liverpool finally became a city in 1880. Liverpool's strategic importance meant its bombing was only second to London's during World War II. Tourism is vital to Liverpool, with the city being the 6th most visited in the UK. The Albert Docks, the Liver birds, the cathedral and the tudor houses are among many notable landmarks. It is of course also famous for being the home of The Beatles as well as many other music legends, and for a host of reasons was the European Capital of Culture in 2008.
It has a strong and growing knowledge economy, and is home to three universities. It is of course also home to two Premier League football clubs, Liverpool at Anfield and Everton at Goodison Park.
The local phone number for Liverpool is the 0151 phone number.
Friday 11 November 2011
Friday 4 November 2011
Local phone number providers go international
We've noticed that leading providers of virtual local phone numbers are now starting to go international more frequently. Virtual local phone numbers allow companies to have a telephone presence in towns and cities that they don't have a physical presence in, but now businesses are going one step further by getting a telephone presence in countries that they don't have a physical presence in! International toll free numbers seem to be a hugely popular option at the moment for companies wanting to do businesses overseas but not wanting to make that huge leap at the moment of getting staff and properties overseas. For people with an interest in telecoms, it is an interesting development.
Tuesday 1 November 2011
Popular Local Phone Numbers: Cardiff
This week we continue our look at some of the most popular virtual local phone numbers in the UK by looking at the capital city of Wales: Cardiff. As well as being the capital city of Wales, Cardiff is also the largest city in Wales and the most populous city in Wales. Cardiff is the 10th largest city in the UK and has a population of around 350,000 people. It is the location of the Welsh Assembly, the government body that was created through devolution when the Blair government was elected in the late 1990s. Cardiff attracts a significant number of tourists each year, with around 18 million visitors in 2010. It was ranked 6th in the world for National Geographic's alternative tourist destinations in 2011.
Cardiff is actually the anglicised name for the city, which in Welsh is Caerdydd. This means "the fort on the Taff". Cardiff is the county town of Glamorgan, and was given this status in 1536.
Surprisingly, despite being the capital city of Wales, Cardiff was a small town until the 19th century, and did not gain city status until 1905. In fact, in 1801 it was only the 25th largest town in Wales, but grew so much that by 1881 it was the largest town in Wales. Its dramatic growth came about from its role as a major port for shipping coal during the industrial revolution.
Cardiff is home to many major sporting venues, including the Millennium Stadium. One of the most famous attractions in Cardiff is Cardiff Castle, at the heart of the city centre. The local phone number for Cardiff is 029.
Cardiff is actually the anglicised name for the city, which in Welsh is Caerdydd. This means "the fort on the Taff". Cardiff is the county town of Glamorgan, and was given this status in 1536.
Surprisingly, despite being the capital city of Wales, Cardiff was a small town until the 19th century, and did not gain city status until 1905. In fact, in 1801 it was only the 25th largest town in Wales, but grew so much that by 1881 it was the largest town in Wales. Its dramatic growth came about from its role as a major port for shipping coal during the industrial revolution.
Cardiff is home to many major sporting venues, including the Millennium Stadium. One of the most famous attractions in Cardiff is Cardiff Castle, at the heart of the city centre. The local phone number for Cardiff is 029.
Friday 21 October 2011
The most local phone numbers?
A provider of virtual local phone numbers contacted us earlier in the week to say that they had just sold 400 different virtual local phone numbers to a company, giving them a telephone presence in most areas of the UK. We felt that that had to be a record, and wondered is there anyone out there who can claim to beat that?
Friday 14 October 2011
Marketing article on local phone numbers
There was an interesting article about the importance of phone numbers and in particular local phone numbers in marketing published a couple of weeks ago in Dealer Marketing Magazine by Laura Noonan. Click here to read the article.
Friday 7 October 2011
Popular Local Phone Numbers: Edinburgh
This week we're heading north to Scotland to continue our profile of some of the more popular locations for virtual local phone numbers. Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and has a population of around 486,000 people. Despite this, it is only the second largest city in Scotland by population, having been overtaken by Glasgow during the Industrial Revolution.
Whilst humans have inhabited the area since the Bronze Age and there was a hill fort on the site of modern day Edinburgh from around the 6th century, the town itself probably came into existence some time in the 11th century, and a 12th century Royal Charter from King David I of Scotland granted land to Church of the Holy Rood in Edinburgh in 1124. Edinburgh developed as two separate areas, one around the volcanic rock that is today the landmark that Edinburgh castle sits on top of, and the other around the Abbey of Holyrood. Edinburgh was a major centre of the Enlightenment period, earning it the nickname the "Athens of the North".
One of the most well known events in Edinburgh is the annual Edinburgh Festival, which includes the Edinburgh Fringe, the largest performing arts festival in the world. It also includes the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Edinburgh International Book Festival. This event attracts around half a million visitors to Edinburgh during the month of August. Edinburgh is also well known for Hogmanay on New Year's Eve and Burns Night in January, as well as various other events, all of which help to bring over 1 million visitors per year into Scotland's capital.
Whilst humans have inhabited the area since the Bronze Age and there was a hill fort on the site of modern day Edinburgh from around the 6th century, the town itself probably came into existence some time in the 11th century, and a 12th century Royal Charter from King David I of Scotland granted land to Church of the Holy Rood in Edinburgh in 1124. Edinburgh developed as two separate areas, one around the volcanic rock that is today the landmark that Edinburgh castle sits on top of, and the other around the Abbey of Holyrood. Edinburgh was a major centre of the Enlightenment period, earning it the nickname the "Athens of the North".
One of the most well known events in Edinburgh is the annual Edinburgh Festival, which includes the Edinburgh Fringe, the largest performing arts festival in the world. It also includes the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Edinburgh International Book Festival. This event attracts around half a million visitors to Edinburgh during the month of August. Edinburgh is also well known for Hogmanay on New Year's Eve and Burns Night in January, as well as various other events, all of which help to bring over 1 million visitors per year into Scotland's capital.
Friday 30 September 2011
Leading local numbers company reports increase in demand for 0203 numbers
We were interested to read that one of the leading suppliers of virtual telephone numbers, The Virtual Number Company, reported that it has had to increase its stock of London 0203 numbers a few weeks ago because of a large increase in demand.
Those of you who follow London phone numbers will remember that the 0203 number - or rather the 020 London area code with the first digit of the rest of the number being 3 - were only introduced in 2005. Previously there had only been 0207 and 0208, for inner and outer London. 0203 was introduced as an across all of Greater London code.
It took some time to catch on, but it seems from what The Virtual Number Company has said that it is now finally as popular as the more established 0207 and 0208 numbers. Maybe the demand is there because of the Olympics, and it is being used as one internationally recognised number?
Those of you who follow London phone numbers will remember that the 0203 number - or rather the 020 London area code with the first digit of the rest of the number being 3 - were only introduced in 2005. Previously there had only been 0207 and 0208, for inner and outer London. 0203 was introduced as an across all of Greater London code.
It took some time to catch on, but it seems from what The Virtual Number Company has said that it is now finally as popular as the more established 0207 and 0208 numbers. Maybe the demand is there because of the Olympics, and it is being used as one internationally recognised number?
Friday 16 September 2011
Popular Local Phone Numbers: Cambridge
As our mini-series looking at some of the most popular places for virtual local phone numbers seems to be so popular, we thought we would continue it this week, and as we don't think that we are putting one university city above another university city and taking a preference for the boat race, we're heading east to Cambridge this week!
The local phone number for Cambridge is 01223. Cambridge is about 50 miles to the north east of London, and as has already been hinted at, is best known for Cambridge University. The University was founded in 1209 when students were fleeing persecution in Oxford. Peterhouse College, the oldest college, was founded in 1284.
Archaeological evidence shows that people have lived where Cambridge is now since before the Roman invasion of Britain, but it became a major military outpost under the Roman occupation. It grew as a trading post under the Vikings, and then like many settlements in England, the Normans built a castle there after the 1066 invasion.
The population of the city according to the 2001 census is around 108,000, of which around 22,000 are students. Cambridge did not actually become a city until 1951, and surprisingly does not have a cathedral.
The local phone number for Cambridge is 01223. Cambridge is about 50 miles to the north east of London, and as has already been hinted at, is best known for Cambridge University. The University was founded in 1209 when students were fleeing persecution in Oxford. Peterhouse College, the oldest college, was founded in 1284.
Archaeological evidence shows that people have lived where Cambridge is now since before the Roman invasion of Britain, but it became a major military outpost under the Roman occupation. It grew as a trading post under the Vikings, and then like many settlements in England, the Normans built a castle there after the 1066 invasion.
The population of the city according to the 2001 census is around 108,000, of which around 22,000 are students. Cambridge did not actually become a city until 1951, and surprisingly does not have a cathedral.
Friday 9 September 2011
Popular Local Phone Numbers: Oxford
A few weeks back we started doing an occasional profile of some of the more popular virtual local phone numbers. Previously we looked at the city of Manchester. This week we are heading south to look at the beautiful, historical city of Oxford - "the city of dreaming spires".
The area code for Oxford is 01865. It has a population of around 165,000. The name Oxford comes from what it was originally - literally a ford for Oxen to cross the river. It was first inhabited in Saxon times, but it began to grow following the Norman invasion, when the Normans built Oxford Castle.
It is of course most famous for Oxford University, the oldest university in the English speaking world. It is one of the UK's most popular tourist attractions, drawing in around 9million visitors every year. It is the university that makes it one of the cultural and educational centres of the UK.
The area code for Oxford is 01865. It has a population of around 165,000. The name Oxford comes from what it was originally - literally a ford for Oxen to cross the river. It was first inhabited in Saxon times, but it began to grow following the Norman invasion, when the Normans built Oxford Castle.
It is of course most famous for Oxford University, the oldest university in the English speaking world. It is one of the UK's most popular tourist attractions, drawing in around 9million visitors every year. It is the university that makes it one of the cultural and educational centres of the UK.
Friday 2 September 2011
Local areas to get free internet
This week we had the announcement that the mobile phone company Three is planning to give free broadband internet access to rural areas of the UK that have difficulty accessing the internet, so some areas out there that have real local phone numbers rather than virtual local phone numbers will finally be getting some telecoms and internet benefits!
Three is going to give 3G broadband to 11 communities in the UK that struggle to get online. They are going to provide free dongles and free access for a year. The first beneficiaries of the scheme will be Gringley-on-the-Hill in North Nottinghamshire, who will receive 30 free dongles, free access for a year, public Wi-Fi hotspots in the pub and the community centre.
10 more areas will get this over the next year.
Three is going to give 3G broadband to 11 communities in the UK that struggle to get online. They are going to provide free dongles and free access for a year. The first beneficiaries of the scheme will be Gringley-on-the-Hill in North Nottinghamshire, who will receive 30 free dongles, free access for a year, public Wi-Fi hotspots in the pub and the community centre.
10 more areas will get this over the next year.
Friday 26 August 2011
Summer is over - get your local numbers ready for doing business!
This weekend is bank holiday weekend!
Enjoy it, because we don't get another public holiday for four months!
This Bank Holiday in reality marks the end of summer. Next week kids start back at school, the nights have already started getting considerably darker, the days feel colder and it won't be long until we all have to start switching our central heating on again!
On the good side for businesses, this means that most people have now had their long summer breaks, and should be back to work with full force. So, fingers crossed things should start getting busy again, so if you were planning on getting some virtual local numbers, now is the time to act! Get ordering now, as it won't be long before the Christmas shopping season starts!
Here's to a happy Bank Holiday weekend, and an even better last third of the year!
Enjoy it, because we don't get another public holiday for four months!
This Bank Holiday in reality marks the end of summer. Next week kids start back at school, the nights have already started getting considerably darker, the days feel colder and it won't be long until we all have to start switching our central heating on again!
On the good side for businesses, this means that most people have now had their long summer breaks, and should be back to work with full force. So, fingers crossed things should start getting busy again, so if you were planning on getting some virtual local numbers, now is the time to act! Get ordering now, as it won't be long before the Christmas shopping season starts!
Here's to a happy Bank Holiday weekend, and an even better last third of the year!
Friday 19 August 2011
Popular local numbers: Manchester
We're starting an occasional profile of some of the most popular local phone numbers. One of the most popular cities in the UK to have a virtual local number for is Manchester.
Although there has been a settlement where Manchester is now since Roman times, Manchester only really began to grow into the city it is today during the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century, with the development of canals, trains, mills and factories. In fact, it was the world's first industrialised city, and was granted city status in 1853.
Perhaps most well known today for it's two football clubs - Manchester United in particular - it is a university city, and the third most visited city in the United Kingdom, beaten only by London and Edinburgh. Along with Birmingham, it is often considered to be England's second city.
Manchester's other most famous product is Britain's longest running television soap, Coronation Street, which last year celebrated it's 50th anniversary with a spectacular tram crash.
The area code for Manchester is 0161.
Although there has been a settlement where Manchester is now since Roman times, Manchester only really began to grow into the city it is today during the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century, with the development of canals, trains, mills and factories. In fact, it was the world's first industrialised city, and was granted city status in 1853.
Perhaps most well known today for it's two football clubs - Manchester United in particular - it is a university city, and the third most visited city in the United Kingdom, beaten only by London and Edinburgh. Along with Birmingham, it is often considered to be England's second city.
Manchester's other most famous product is Britain's longest running television soap, Coronation Street, which last year celebrated it's 50th anniversary with a spectacular tram crash.
The area code for Manchester is 0161.
Friday 12 August 2011
Keep Calm and Carry On!
We were all appalled to watch the riots this week, in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Salford, and in smaller pockets elsewhere. It has been heartbreaking to witness. At a time when the country is already on a knife edge financially, this is the last thing that businesses - particularly small businesses - need.
But safety has to come first. If rooting and rioting continues, and its not safe to be at your work place, then get a virtual phone number pointed at your home number or mobile phone, even if its only temporary - eg get virtual London 0208 numbers pointed to your mobile, so that you can still carry on operating, but safely.
Business has to continue. There are many small businesses which may not recover from this already, insurance premiums are going to go through the roof from the cost of the damage, the image and reputation of the UK abroad has been badly dented, all at a time when the Eurozone and the US are teetering on the verge. Just shutting up shop would not be wise right now, but hopefully this is one little tip that might help a bit.
But safety has to come first. If rooting and rioting continues, and its not safe to be at your work place, then get a virtual phone number pointed at your home number or mobile phone, even if its only temporary - eg get virtual London 0208 numbers pointed to your mobile, so that you can still carry on operating, but safely.
Business has to continue. There are many small businesses which may not recover from this already, insurance premiums are going to go through the roof from the cost of the damage, the image and reputation of the UK abroad has been badly dented, all at a time when the Eurozone and the US are teetering on the verge. Just shutting up shop would not be wise right now, but hopefully this is one little tip that might help a bit.
Friday 5 August 2011
Think "London prices" are crazy now ...?
An interesting article in The Telegraph this morning noted that London Hotel Rates are set to soar during the 2012 Olympic Games. The writer, Oliver Smith, speculated that visitors to our capital will have to pay around 10 times the price of what they are currently paying for a hotel room during the olympics.
Regular readers of the blog have probably noticed by now that we are taking a very keen interest in the London games! This is partly because we are genuinely excited that London is going to be hosting this major sporting event, and partly because London phone numbers are by far the biggest selling virtual local phone numbers.
We suspect that whilst London prices for things such as hotels will only really increase during and around the time of the London olympics, the prices of a virtual 020 number - which includes virtual 0207 and 0208 numbers, will steadily increase from now over the course of the next year as they become a prime commodity. Snap them up now whilst they're still a decent price!
Regular readers of the blog have probably noticed by now that we are taking a very keen interest in the London games! This is partly because we are genuinely excited that London is going to be hosting this major sporting event, and partly because London phone numbers are by far the biggest selling virtual local phone numbers.
We suspect that whilst London prices for things such as hotels will only really increase during and around the time of the London olympics, the prices of a virtual 020 number - which includes virtual 0207 and 0208 numbers, will steadily increase from now over the course of the next year as they become a prime commodity. Snap them up now whilst they're still a decent price!
Friday 29 July 2011
One year to go ...
Everyone here was quite excited this week that an important milestone was reached en route to the London Olympics. One year to go was marked with a ceremony in London, with athletes being invited to come and participate.
Sadly, none of us were successful in getting tickets!
For those companies still wanting to get in on the act, if you're not in London we recommend getting a virtual phone number - either 0207 or 0208, because that 020 number is going to be the best known in the world for the next few months!
Sadly, none of us were successful in getting tickets!
For those companies still wanting to get in on the act, if you're not in London we recommend getting a virtual phone number - either 0207 or 0208, because that 020 number is going to be the best known in the world for the next few months!
Friday 22 July 2011
What are local numbers?
Friday 1 July 2011
Detail is important!
If you have gone to the trouble of getting a local phone number to make you appear to be a local company, then make sure you get all the details right!
For example, if you have lots of virtual local numbers all pointing to one phone, get some call whispers on there so that you know which local number the person on the end of the phone is calling!
Make sure your staff are trained to remember that, as you don't want them saying that you are in Hull when you have made every effort to make it look like you're in York!
Also, if you usually use a fax number, make sure you get a number local number fax to email number to match your local phone number.
For example, if you have lots of virtual local numbers all pointing to one phone, get some call whispers on there so that you know which local number the person on the end of the phone is calling!
Make sure your staff are trained to remember that, as you don't want them saying that you are in Hull when you have made every effort to make it look like you're in York!
Also, if you usually use a fax number, make sure you get a number local number fax to email number to match your local phone number.
Thursday 24 February 2011
Calling your doctor could raise your blood pressure
Found this press release with a quirky twist on the PR log press release website.
http://www.prlog.org/11090018-why-calling-your-doctor-could-raise-your-blood-pressure.html
It looks at the use of 0844 numbers by British GP's and evaluates whether this is fair practice (excuse the pun).
Jemma Fox of The 0800 Number Company penned the press release.
http://www.prlog.org/11090018-why-calling-your-doctor-could-raise-your-blood-pressure.html
It looks at the use of 0844 numbers by British GP's and evaluates whether this is fair practice (excuse the pun).
Jemma Fox of The 0800 Number Company penned the press release.
Sunday 20 February 2011
Talk Talk
Talk Talk continues to leak customers.
It lost 83,000 customers from its home phone and dial up packages.
It lost 83,000 customers from its home phone and dial up packages.
Thursday 17 February 2011
London Olympics and London Phone Numbers
Following on from our news posts about London phone numbers I stumbled across a press release from DBS telecoms that is worthwhile reading.
It looks at the role of London phone numbers in the forthcoming 2012 olympics and makes some really good, common sense recommendations.
The press release is at: http://www.prlog.org/11042740-london-phone-numbers-and-the-2012-olympics.html
David Clarke, director at DBS Telecoms, authored the press release. DBS are a provider of London phone numbers along with non-geographic numbers.
It looks at the role of London phone numbers in the forthcoming 2012 olympics and makes some really good, common sense recommendations.
The press release is at: http://www.prlog.org/11042740-london-phone-numbers-and-the-2012-olympics.html
David Clarke, director at DBS Telecoms, authored the press release. DBS are a provider of London phone numbers along with non-geographic numbers.
Friday 11 February 2011
London Phone Numbers
You may recall a blog post recently about London 0203, 0207 and 0208 phone numbers running out. The article described that there was a real threat of numbers being depleted in the very near future.
I spotted an article on the PR Log website written by Jenny Forbes who is head of marketing at Organic Numbers.
In her London Phone Numbers Won't Run Out article she argues quite persuasively that 020 phone numbers won't be running out for a very long time indeed.
Jenny's website can be found at: http://www.organiclocalnumbers.co.uk/
The facebook page and twitter page are also worth a look.
I spotted an article on the PR Log website written by Jenny Forbes who is head of marketing at Organic Numbers.
In her London Phone Numbers Won't Run Out article she argues quite persuasively that 020 phone numbers won't be running out for a very long time indeed.
Jenny's website can be found at: http://www.organiclocalnumbers.co.uk/
The facebook page and twitter page are also worth a look.
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