A number translation service translates a dialled
telephone number
A telephone number is a sequence of digits assigned to a landline telephone subscriber station connected to a telephone line or to a wireless electronic telephony device, such as a radio telephone or a mobile telephone, or to other devices f ...
, typically beginning 08 in the
UK to a geographical 'connect number' beginning 01 or 02 in the UK. The connect number may be changed without changing the published dialled number. Originally NTS numbers were used, for example, to allow any caller to dial a
local call In telephony, the term local call has the following meanings:
# Any call using a single switching center; that is, not traveling to another telephone network;
# A call made within a local calling area as defined by the local exchange carrier;
# A ...
to the called party irrespective of location, saving money if the connect number was not also a local call, but the system gradually came to be seen as a way of making money and now most phone companies charge the caller more for 08 numbers than for 01, 02 or 03 numbers.
References
External links
www.ofcom.org.uk
Telecommunications in the United Kingdom
{{UK-stub