subject: Non Geographic Number Faqs Answered [print this page] 1) What is a Non Geographic Number? A Non Geographic Number or NGN is a telephone number that is not associated to any particular geographical location. Normally the location is given away by the telephone number, but with a non geographic telephone number, the caller does not know where the call is routed to. 0800 numbers, 0844 numbers, 0845 numbers, 0871 numbers, 03 numbers etc. belong to this category. Non geographic numbers are also called virtual numbers.
2) How do non geographic numbers function? Non geographic numbers are virtual numbers that are overlaid on an existing telephone number. When someone dials a non geographic number, the call is automatically transferred to the telephone set of the subscriber, wherever it is located. The call can be routed to a fixed line number or a mobile phone.
3) What are the typical billing methods of non geographic numbers? There are different types of non geographic numbers. There are numbers where the caller bears all the costs and then there are numbers where it is the receiver of the calls who bears the entire cost of the call. The former is used mostly by charity organizations, party lines, contest lines etc. The latter is used by businesses to solicit business enquiries. Customers are more likely to call a freephone number to make an enquiry than others where they have to pay for the call. Non geographic numbers also have a call sharing option where the cost of the call is shared by the caller and the receiver. This is used by customer service lines.
4) What are the benefits of using a non geographic number for your business? There are various business benefits attached to non geographic numbers. It gives your business a seemingly national presence, but you could just be a small business owner working from a small office with minimal staff. Companies also receive a cash rebate every time someone calls their 08 number. Since some large companies started abusing this benefit, Ofcom has put in some strict regulations to police this.
If you are considering relocating your business, non geographic numbers will make your move stress free. You do not have to bother about advertising your new number to your customer base because you can carry on functioning with your existing number even if you move to a new location. The 08 number can be overlaid on the fixed line number of the new destination and you are all set to go. The customer need even know that you have moved.
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