300,000 numbers will be changed
Only Dublin, Cork, Clare, Limerick, Kerry and the western part of Tipperary will be spared the October 10 changeover.
Small Firms’ Association assistant director Patricia Callan said the decision to change over 300,000 telephone numbers in the 04, 05, 07 and 09 areas was unnecessary, costly - and would cause chaos.
At a very conservative 650 per company, the country’s 190,000 small businesses would be hit for 123m, she said.
Ms Callan said all business customers would incur extra costs to:
l reprint stationery, signage on buildings, car and van fleets, radio and TV advertising, web pages
l reprogramme all equipment
l amend company databases, mobile phone storage
l inform business customers.
Enfield in Co Meath, currently with an 046 prefix, will become 0405, plus 95 in front of the five-digit local number. Carlow will change from 0503 to 059, plus 91 in front of the five-digit local number.
“These local area codes have existed for 50 years and changes of this nature will simply confuse people.
“In order to meet the forecast, the ODTR is to make changes to over 750,000 numbers. This will directly affect 565,000 individual customers in Ireland and also callers from abroad,” said Ms Callan.
According to the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation (ODTR) more telephone lines are required to keep up with Ireland's growing communication needs. It’s estimating a 74% growth rate over the next five years.
Two extra digits are being added to local numbers, while area codes (STDs) in certain areas will also be changed. In some areas there will be a six-digit change.
Both existing number and new number will operate in tandem for 12 months. After that the new number only will operate. A recorded message will inform callers of the new number. There will be no charge for the initial call to the old number.
For full details on proposed changes look up www.eircom.ie
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