The SIP-AS application translates a non-geographic number into a hidden
geographic number by means of user profile information in the in-memory database after receiving an initial INVITE request from the CSCF server.
As the 0844 contract has now expired, Northumbria Healthcare has used the opportunity to introduce the new non-geographic 03 number, which means anyone calling switchboard in the future will be charged no more than a call to a
geographic number, regardless of whether they are using a landline or mobile.
At the Grange Surgery, also in Cardiff, a member of staff who only gave her name as 'Karen' insisted they were about to change to a
geographic number.
And GPs with these contracts had until April 2011 to review the arrangements and consider whether a patient was paying more than a call to a
geographic number, such as 01 or 02.
People living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan are told to call a
geographic number if they have a medical emergency outside normal GP surgery opening hours.
Users who download the app and enter their details are given a virtual
geographic number depending on their desired location.
PTA directed all interesting MVNOs to submit their numbering plans prior to commence their service operation keeping mandatory features in the subscribers numbers including Mobile country code (MCC), Mobile network code, (MNC), National destination code (NDC) along with
geographic number as per ITU-T recommendations.
The cost for the service, including a UK
geographic number and excluding broadband costs, is GBP2 per month.SMS sent to receiving GSM phones will be charged from between GBP0.05-GBP0.12 per message.
In April 2010 NHS bosses demanded that GPs ensure patients pay no more than the cost of a call to a
geographic number to contact the surgery by telephone.
David Hickson, who writes the NHS Patient blog, said the use of these numbers contravened new regulations, which state surgeries should abandon the use of 0844 numbers if the cost to call is greater than calling a standard
geographic number.
He said: "NHS bodies and GPs are now prohibited from using non-geographic numbers that cost callers more than the cost of an equivalent call to a
geographic number," he said.
An Ofcom spokesman said a standard
geographic number, such as an 0207 number, should also have been made available to ensure everyone could get through.