The Open Guide to London: the free London guide - Differences between Version 17 and Version 16 of Telephone Area Code For London

Version 17 Version 16
== Line 2 == == Line 2 ==
Before 1989, there was one dialling code for London: 01, plain and simple. Admittedly getting particular numbers allocated was a pain, but it was due to overcrowding in the number range that the numbers were split into inner and outer London. ''(See the page [[Locale Docklands]] for a reference to this.)''
 Before 1989, there was one dialling code for London: 01, with seven-digit local number, plain and simple. Admittedly getting particular numbers allocated was a pain, but it was due to overcrowding in the number range that the numbers were split into inner and outer London. ''(See the page [[Locale Docklands]] for a reference to this.)''
== Line 8 == == Line 8 ==
<tr><td>Up to 1989</td><td>01</td><td>Seven-digit local numbers.</td></tr>
<tr><td>1989 to 1992</td><td>071 and 081</td><td>London was split in two to double the amount of available numbers.</td></tr>
<tr><td>1992 to 1999</td><td>0171 and 0181</td><td>National codes were all changed to add a 1 after the initial 0.</td></tr>
 <tr><td>Up to 1989</td><td>01</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr><td>1989 to 1992</td><td>071 and 081</td><td>London was split to 'inner' and 'outer' areas.</td></tr>
<tr><td>1992 to 1999</td><td>0171 and 0181</td><td>National codes were all changed to add a '1' after the initial 0.</td></tr>
== Line 12 == == Line 12 ==
<tr><td>2000 to present</td><td>020</td><td>Eight-digit local numbers. One code for all of London.</td></tr>
 <tr><td>2000 to present</td><td>020</td><td>All London numbers have an eight-digit local number.</td></tr>
== Line 15 == == Line 15 ==
In 1999, the exchange codes were properly reorganised to be 4 digits long, with the local number 8 digits long. It is no longer possible to determine the location of a subscriber within London based on the area code.
 In 1999, the exchange codes (the four digits immediately after the 020) were properly reorganised to be 4 digits long, with the whole local number 8 digits long. It is no longer possible to determine the location of a subscriber within London based on the area code.
== Line 50 == == Line 50 ==
edit_type='Normal edit'
 edit_type='Minor tidying'
== Line 53 == == Line 53 ==
host='79.73.157.64'
 host='79.73.129.36'
== Line 55 == == Line 55 ==
major_change='1'
 major_change='0'

History

Before 1989, there was one dialling code for London: 01, with seven-digit local number, plain and simple. Admittedly getting particular numbers allocated was a pain, but it was due to overcrowding in the number range that the numbers were split into inner and outer London. (See the page Locale Docklands for a reference to this.)

From 1989, the dialling codes changed FOUR times:

DateCodeNotes
Up to 198901 
1989 to 1992071 and 081London was split to 'inner' and 'outer' areas.
1992 to 19990171 and 0181National codes were all changed to add a '1' after the initial 0.
June 1999 to April 2000020 with 7 or 8.Introductory period - the previous dialling codes continued to work. Local numbers were still dialled as 7 digits, e.g. 123 4567
2000 to present020All London numbers have an eight-digit local number.

In 1999, the exchange codes (the four digits immediately after the 020) were properly reorganised to be 4 digits long, with the whole local number 8 digits long. It is no longer possible to determine the location of a subscriber within London based on the area code.

It can be a good indicator of how long a firm has been in business if it has a sign using one of the older dialling code conventions (and also of how much they care about their frontage).

Outer London

Some outer London boroughs are partly covered by other codes:

  • 01322 [Dartford]: Bexley (Crayford, Erith, Northumberland Heath, Slade Green, Barnes Cray, Belvedere)
  • 01689 [Orpington]: Bromley (Orpington, Farnborough); Croydon (New Addington)
  • 01708 [Romford]: Havering (Romford, Rainham, Hornchurch, Upminster, Harold Wood, Gidea Park)
  • 01895 [Uxbridge]: Hillingdon (Ruislip, Uxbridge, Harefield, West Drayton, Cowley)
  • 01923 [Watford]: Hillingdon (Northwood)
  • 01959 [Westerham]: Bromley (Biggin Hill, Cudham)

Local calls from 020

All the following codes are considered local when dialled from 020 numbers:

  • 01322 Dartford
  • 01372 Esher
  • 01689 Orpington
  • 01707 Potters Bar
  • 01708 Romford
  • 01727 St Albans
  • 01737 Redhill
  • 01753 Slough
  • 01784 Staines
  • 01883 Caterham
  • 01895 Uxbridge
  • 01923 Watford
  • 01932 Weybridge
  • 01959 Westerham
  • 01992 Hoddesdon

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