Q. What are non-geographical numbers (NGN)?
Non Geographic Numbers are telephone numbers with no geographic code (such as 0121, 0208...). Instead, they have generic numbers such as 0800 or 0870, removing any indication of the destination of the call.
Q. How do non- geographical numbers work?
Your chosen number sits in front of your existing telephone number, so that when your NGN is called, the call will come through to the phone line you have chosen.
Q. What are the different types of non-geographical numbers?
Within the UK there are different numbers to suit different needs.
0800 Freephone (caller pays nothing, you pay the full inbound call, however costs are very reasonable)
0845 Local rate (caller pays local rate, you pay the balance of the call cost)
0870 National Rate (customer pays national rate, you pay nothing, and in turn generate a revenue stream)
09XX Premium Rate (customer pays a special tariff, and in turn you generate a revenue stream)*
*Please refer to our separate PRS section within FAQs.
Q. How are NGN numbers billed?
There are various types of NGN, with different methods of billing, as outlined above. The caller can pay all the charges, the called party can pay all the charges, or the charges can be shared.
Q. Are there any additional value added services available with non geographical numbers?
Simple Divert: Your NGN can be diverted to any landline, mobile, international numbers, or to your voicemail.
Voicemail: This can be added free of charge, and notification of messages can even be sent by email or SMS (a small charge may be applied for this service).
DDI/CLI: When your NGN is being called, your caller display will show the NGN.
Route on Busy: If your call is not answered within X amount of rings (you choose the amount required) or your line is engaged, your call can be diverted to an alternative telephone number or hunt group (up to 5 numbers in total) and/or voicemail.
Time of Day routing: Specify where and when you want your NGN to ring, (eg 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday - Office, 5pm Friday to 9am Monday - Voicemail/ Alternative number).
Customer Controlled routing: Provide us with up to 4 different telephone numbers which will be set up for you. In seconds you can choose whether your NGN points to the office, voicemail, call centre or mobile, just by calling into our automated system, entering a pin and selecting the predetermined option you wish to activate.
Greeting: Play a pre-recorded message before your call is connected. The recording can be provided by your busisness or by GCC Networks on your behalf.
Menu Greeting: Your caller will be asked to choose from a number of pre-determined options.
Ratio routing: Send a percentage of your calls to different offices, (eg 50% to your Leeds office, 30% to your Manchester office, and 20% to your London office).
STD routing: Automatically divert your caller to their nearest office, depending on the area code they are dialling from.
Call recording: We offer the facility to store all calls made to your NGN for training/ security purposes.
Memorable numbers: We have over 50,000 NGN numbers within our database and can therefore provide you with a memorable one. Prices for memorable numbers start from as little as £75.00.
Online statistics: Learn more about your customers with call analysis and reporting facilities. The level of reporting available means that you can access the percentage of calls that were answered, time spent on calls, and where in the country calls are coming from, on any given day at any given time. Calls can be seen online 24hours after they have been received, and this will allow you to determine the effectiveness of your advertising campaigns.
The majority of our services are free of charge. However, please be aware that some services may incur an initial set-up fee or ongoing charge.
Q. If I need to change the number my NGN is directed to, is this possible?
Yes, all you need to do is, contact our friendly team on 08701 22 33 23 with your details. Re-routing takes generally 48 hours.
Q. What are the benefits of non geographical numbers?
Image: In all cases, by using an NGN rather than an 'ordinary' geographic number, you can give your company a more professional image, increasing your customers' perception of your company size and professionalism. Your chosen NGN would be used in all your advertising and promotional materials.
Convenience: There is no need to change your existing telephone number or services.
Manageable: Learn more about your customer by analysing comprehensive data, such as:
This enables you to manage staff resources, reduce business overheads and spend money more effectively in other areas.
Regular customer contact: Increase customer contact with Freephone 0800 numbers, or maintain regular, affordable customer contact with low call rate 0845 numbers.
Cost Efficient: Offset the cost of operating service lines by receiving credit for 0870 calls Generate revenues from national rate 0871 numbers.
Q. How do I sign up for an NGN number?
If you have any other queries regarding NGN, costs or the savings available to you and your business, just call our friendly team on 08701 22 33 23.