UK dialing codes change

BANGKOK: Telephone dialing codes in Britain have just been changed radically in what has been labeled “The Big Number Change”, the British Chamber of Commerce in Thailand reports. The changes entail the introduction of new telephone codes and local numbers for six locations: Cardiff, Coventry, London, Northern Ireland, Portsmouth and Southampton. There are also changes made to certain mobile phone, pager and personal numbers, and to special and premium rate numbers. The international code to call London, previously + 44 171 for inner London and + 44 181 for outer London, is now + 44 20 for the whole London area. All London telephone numbers change from seven-digit to eight-digit numbers. Inner London numbers have an additional 7 inserted after the area code. Outer London numbers have an additional 8 inserted after the area code. For example: + 44 171 280 7500 is now + 44 20 7280 7500, while + 44 181 123 4567 is now + 44 20 8123 4567.