TELECOMS Dialling a number you won't forget

Business telephone numbers could be easier to remember, under plans announced yesterday by telecommunications watchdog, Oftel.

Under the proposals, companies and public organisations can choose to change their current numbers to one prefixed with "05", regardless of where they are in the country. The number will be followed by three digits which identify the company and six more to get the individual line.

The 05 scheme will be voluntary and numbers will be available for distribution from 1998. Oftel hopes it will be up and running by 1999. The plans have been initiated in order to reduce the pressure on 01 numbers and lessen the need for future code changes.

Don Cruickshank, Director General of Telecommunications, at Oftel, said: "These plans are in response to clear customer demand. The scheme is primarily intended for organisations who operate extensive multi-site networks of their own, although smaller companies will also be able to use it.