Must Dial 01202 To Make Local Calls
From today, people living in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch must dial the 01202 area code to make local calls.
Callers who omit the 01202 code when dialling locally will hear a free message telling them to include it when they redial.
Ofcom says the change is designed to safeguard the future supply of landline numbers in the Bournemouth area and avoid the need to change existing phone numbers.
The supply of new landline numbers also ensures that consumers and businesses continue to enjoy the widest choice of telecoms providers.
The price of local calls will not be affected by dialling the code.
Local residents and businesses should look out for the logo and campaign explaining the need to dial the area code.
Ofcom's consumer research shows this to be the least disruptive option for making new phone numbers available for homes and businesses.
Details of Ofcom's decision can be found here. More information about the change can be found on Ofcom's website at