Can 05603-numbers still be called from Plusnet telephones?

[#1]

It seems that TalkTalk have 'disappeared' these numbers with excuses like "They have never existed", "they are international numbers", and asking "are they Domestic Landline, or Domestic business?". Whatever! A TalkTalk user cannot call these numbers.

I wondered if this was an industry wide "disappearing act" or is it just the usual TalkTalk poor service?

[#2]

This http://www.area-codes.org.uk/05.php may give you more information. I seem to recall my sister had an 05xxx number at one time when she was with BT, but why I don't know.

They are horrendously rare these days, and I admit prior to checking that link, I thought they had been discontinued.

[#3]

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@jab1 wrote:

... I seem to recall my sister had an 05xxx number at one time when she was with BT, but why I don't know.

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056 numbers used to be allocated by BT (and probably others) for their VoIP services @jab1 

I don't know how they stand now, but I can remember they used to cost more to call than standard geographical numbers, which is why I've always avoided calling them - automatically, by blocking them in my VoIP dialling rules.

[#4]

The old BT Fon used to use these numbers - they never did catch on though..

[#5]

Ah, now you mention it @RobPN , I kind of remember - it was a long time ago, sister was (still is) a technophobe, and she was conned into taking the option when she split from her OH. If memory serves, I had a bit of fun getting BT to remove the option and repay her for mis-selling.

[#6]

When I was with BT for home phone and broadband they issued me with a 056 number as well as my normal landline number

To use the 056 number a phone had to be connected into the router and if I remember correctly if another 056 was called via the internet connection it was free only used it to call one friend who also was with BT and had a 056 number

It never caught on and BT changed it to another number which looked like a normal landline but was slightly out of normal area  so I had two landlines

HD

[#7]

Cheers, @Anonymous . Don't think my sister actually used the 056xx facility, and I know I never called it, because as @RobPN said, it was not in any call plan, was expensive and as you say, needed a phone connected to a PC.

[#8 · Accepted solution]

Thank you everyone for your contribution and your reminiscences. It is a bit unusual, I will grant you.

I have managed to find the answer, which is YES.

I found a contact who had a Plusnet phone line They called the 05603-number and it worked perfectly.

So 'null points' to TalkTalk, awarded especially for their hopeless support! Full marks to Plusnet for maintaining the service!

Thanks again for your help.