Oxford is due to run out of telephone numbers by 2005 - and there are currently no plans to tackle the problem.

News that the 01865 code will have no spare numbers within six years was revealed today in a report by MPs.

The all-party trade and industry committee today issued a report on telephone numbering which attacks the Office of Telecommunications (Oftel) over its handling of the problem.

MPs say Oxford is one of a number of area codes that will be exhausted by 2005.

And although Oftel has plans to tackle the problem in Cardiff, Belfast, London, Portsmouth and Southampton in next year, it has yet to produce any for most of those due to run out by 2005.

Oftel is due to produce further proposals covering Oxford soon, says the report.

Overall, the report is deeply concerned about the inefficient use of numbers by Oftel.

It accuses Oftel of pushing "inconvenient and costly changes to customers' numbers" without working for improvements to the telephone system which would actually benefit users.

Story date: Tuesday 16 February

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