New Short Dial Number for Customer Covid-19 Response Programme - 119

As part of the NHS Covid-19 response programme, Ofcom has agreed to release a new 3-digit national short code, 119.

This number will form a crucial part of the NHS Covid-19 response programme.

The new short code 119, will work in parallel with the current 111 NHS Direct helpline and will be integral to the NHS’s endeavour in the fight against Covid-19.

It is expected that this number will be available soon.

Under normal circumstances Ofcom would consult on adding a new 3-digit short code to the National Telephone Numbering Plan however we are sure you will appreciate the urgency in making this number available.

We understand that the 119 service has the same commercial arrangements that are in place for calls to 111. For Orbex supplied services these are free on all voice and mobile tariffs.

Please check that your hosted PBX or equipment does not have any conflict with 119.

Calls to 101 services

In response to the request from the Home Office we have zero rated all calls to the non-emergency service 101.From the 1st April all calls to 101 will be free to you, and the charging arrangements for the 101 services should be mirrored to end users as per existing calls to 111 and 105. This applies to all end users, Consumers and Businesses

SIP Services - FREE INCREASE 

From the 1^st  May 2020 existing SIP services which need to have their number of channels increased will be provided with NO SETUP fee and can be reduced back to the original channel size until the 30th June 2020.

Customers who utilise this offer and require the channels reducing back to the original quantity should contact our Service Team at services@orbex.co.uk with  - SIP Reduction COVID-19 in the email request.

Government Update - Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan Scheme

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a new Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan Scheme, intended to help smaller businesses access funds quickly. The scheme launches on Monday 4th May and a list of accredited lenders will be available via the British Business Bank website. We believe you can only apply for the original CBILS or the new Bounce Back scheme - not both - but if you've been rejected under CBILS this represents a fresh financing opportunity. Please visit the Government website for guidance.

*Please ensure you follow the government guidance.