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Europe proposes single telephone number for businesses to 'boost efficiency'

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 18:30 GMT, 6 December 2010

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A single Europe-wide phone number for doing business in 27 countries could help companies cut costs and boost efficiency, the European Commission said today.

A single number code - 3883 - was assigned to 24 countries a decade ago to help pan-European countries connect more easily, but the arrangement is little-used and lapses at the end of this year.

Now the Commission is launching a new consultation giving firms, consumers, telecoms operators and public authorities until the end of February to submit views about the potential benefits of a system that would allow businesses to have the same telephone number in all EU countries.

Single number: The code would apply to businesses across Europe

European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes commented: 'Today, businesses need to have a separate telephone number in every member state where their customers need to contact them.

'This makes it difficult to develop EU-wide services for their customers.

'I urge all interested parties to help us formulate a policy that addresses the needs of businesses and provides more convenient access for consumers.'

The Commission says EU-wide phone numbers could reinforce the European single market, in line with the 'Digital Agenda' aims at making the most of the latest information and communication technologies (ICTs), including the spread of broadband, to help businesses and consumers.

The single EU phone number is seen as improving the scope of businesses offering cross-border sales and services and make after-sales and customer queries easier regardless of their EU member state.

A Commission statement said: 'The consultation will help the Commission assess market demand for European business phone numbers and, if necessary, formulate initiatives for the introduction of such numbers.'

Phone numbers in the EU are administered by national regulatory authorities, which allocate numbers on the basis of national numbering plans.

Under EU telecoms rules, harmonising numbering for businesses could be done by introducing an EU-wide three-digit number which could be reserved as a Europe-wide prefix for each business number.

Another idea is to promote the take-up of the existing European telephone access code (+3883) under the 'European Telephone Numbering Space'.

Business telephone numbers could consist of the 3883 code plus a telephone number which would remain the same in all member states.