Telecom companies told to prepare for calls to 119

Similar to what is happening in other countries Ofcom has agreed to a request from NHSX for the new 3-digit telephone number ‘119’ to be used as an integral part of the NHS’s Covid-19 response programme.

The number will be a key part of the NHS’s effort to keep the country safe and handle the threat from Coronavirus. The launch of ‘119’ should also help to reduce the pressure on the 111 service that when launched was only ever intended to be a non emergency medical advice line.

The Government may announce the service as early as Monday 27 April but no date as yet is confirmed for either the announcement or the go live date of the service.

KAT Communications understand the value and urgency of making ‘119’ available to call as quickly as possible and we  are delighted that we can advise our suppliers have already managed to complete this request from OFCOM and the NHS in preparation of the go live date.

Anthony Temperton of KAT Communications said “It is not as easy as it sounds making a new service number live across a multitude of services and technologies but our suppliers have stepped up to help the NHS  in their request for this service.”

Should you have any queries about the pending new ‘119’ service please contact the KAT Communications team on 01302 260195 or support@79.170.44.128