• Ofcom will allocate a new memorable three-digit phone number – 111 – for NHS non-emergency healthcare services. This aims to make it easier for patients to access healthcare in their local area.  Read more at:  www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/three_number_non_emergency/statement/

• The International Communications Market 2009 (December) – this report analyses the prices of communications services in the UK and compared them against the prices available in other countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the US).  Download the full report from Ofcom.

• Ofcom Mobile Sector Assessment – Mobile Evolution concludes that the UK mobile market is serving citizens and consumers well and it is not appropriate to do a wider market review at this point. However, the report also highlights mobile coverage as an area of concern and refers to research that Ofcom is currently carrying out to determine the causes of mobile not-spots in the UK.  www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/msa/statement/

The guide looks at some of the common numbers in use today, what they are used for and how much it costs to call them from a BT landline.

• Geographic numbers – numbers beginning 01 or 02, and 03 numbers which many organisations now use as an alternative to more expensive 08 numbers.

• 030 numbers –used by not for profit organisations, and 07 mobile numbers and 070 personal numbers.

• 08 numbers, ranging from 0800 numbers – which are free to call from a landline,  to 0843, 0844 and 0845 numbers, as well as 0870 numbers.

• call charges to 0871/2/3 numbers and premium rate 090 numbers.

The prices in the guide are based on the cost of calls from a BT landline and other providers’ prices may vary.  Calls from mobiles will almost always be higher and should be checked.

Download the guide to telephone numbering

The maps, which were prepared for Ofcom in December 2008, show that UK 3G coverage for the 5 main mobile networks – H3G, O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone – varies greatly across the UK.  According to the maps, urban areas are well covered to a degree, with H3G and Orange appearing to offer better 3G coverage in rural areas.

3G describes a new, so called third generation of mobile technology which offers consumers a faster connection to the internet than current second generation or 2G technology.

Related ICT Knowledgebase links:
Mobile 2.0 – How can organisations make use of mobile 2.0 to help them achieve their goals.

Mobile 2.0 – Examples of the mobile 2 applications being used in the voluntary and community sector.

Reaching Out Through Mobile – Using mobile phones to raise donations and reach out

Going Mobile In The Wireless Revolution – Wireless networking offers the utopia of access everywhere all the time

Inventing The Future With Mobile Technology – How mobile technology will change the way we all work