10 Reasons why VOSA is now using an 03 number

At the start of August 2009, you may be aware that the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) began using an 03 phone number as its main contact line.

The organisation, which is responsible for vehicle standards in the UK, can now be contacted on 0300 123 9000.

0300 numbers are exclusively for public bodies and charities and were introduced by communications regulator Ofcom in 2007 as an alternative to 08 numbers (0870 numbers etc.)

VOSA is one of the latest public bodies to opt for an 03 number.

But why 03?

Here are 10 reasons why VOSA is now using an 03 number:

1) 03 numbers (http://www.windsor-telecom.co.uk/03-numbers.php) cost people the same to call as normal landline numbers - even from a mobile phone (44.5% of all UK calls are now made from mobiles - Ofcom 2009).
 
2) Like all non-geographic numbers, 03 numbers enable organisations to smarten up the way they deal with calls with intelligent features like introduction messages ("welcome to VOSA") and options menus (e.g. Press 1 for heavy goods enquiries, 2 for car, motorcycle or light goods enquiries.)

3) Organisations can handpick a highly memorable number that their callers and donators will recall easily. E.g. 0300 123 9000.

4) Calls to 03 numbers (http://www.windsor-telecom.co.uk/03-numbers.php) can be easily recorded for training purposes.

5) 03 numbers simply 'sit' on top of any landline or mobile number. No additional equipment or hardware is needed.

6) Callers can be queued, meaning that all important calls will be answered.
 
7) 03 numbers can easily move with an organisation if it relocates - they simply get 'pointed' at the new landline/mobile accordingly.

8) 03 numbers can be inexpensive to run if you seek out the provider with the most competitive offering on the market (e.g. 30,000 free inbound minutes per month. Once they have been used 0.5 pence per minute for all calls received after that).

9) It's possible to see the geographic location of callers and the busy periods of the organisation using online call statistics packages.

10) 03 numbers (http://www.windsor-telecom.co.uk/03-numbers.php) and their features are fully controlled online. No additional hardware or equipment is needed and settings can be changed at any time and from anywhere with an internet connection.

VOSA joins a long list of public bodies in the UK that are now using 03 numbers; including the BBC, Metropolitan Police, Department of

Health and Driving Standards Agency. It's for the reasons explained above that 03 is fast becoming the phone number of choice for the public sector.