In article <42e4bd0a$0$38046$bed64819@news.gradwell.net>,
"Sparks" <this@is.invalid> writes:
>> What have you got against those in 01689 whose local numbers start with
>> a 2 or 3? OK, in the case of 01689, no local numbers happen to start
>> with 4, 5, or 9 at the moment.
>
> Nothing at the moment, as AFAIK all 01689 local numbers start with a 6, 7 or
> 8

The range 01689 20XXXX has been allocated to Redstone since March 2001
and 01689 30XXXX to BT since April 1995, so there ought to be some
numbers around like that, or Ofcom will want to slap the wrists of
whichever telco requested a range and didn't use it.

>> A general case, applicable to any UK
>> geographic area, would be to code it interpret any initial digit 2 to 9
>> inclusive as meaning the start of a local number - effectively what
>> happens at the telco for a standard line line.
>
> Does it?

Sorry, my clumsy typing. What I meant to type was: "effectively what
happens at the telco for a standard LAND line." The exchange sees an
initial digit starting 2 to 9 and so know you're dialling a number
within the local dialing code. It doesn't mean they'll always handle it
correctly though, as your experience shows:

> I had to ring my local exchange when I got my Sipgate number (starting with
> a 7) as it wouldnt work unless I dialled the entire number, they did
> somthing, then it worked.

--
Tim Clark