Over half of the 24 million plus UK consumer telephone numbers are ex-directory.

The release of the XD file in May 2002 provided a number of benefits, not least the ability to verify existing contact details. Although an XD number cannot be provided, a flag confirms that the name and address details on the customer file correspond with the BT data, in turn suggesting an existing telephone number may be usable.

Verification of contact details reduces spend on outbound campaigns and the XD flag also suggests which customers may be less responsive to telesales than other contact channels. Furthermore, XD processing can improve match rates by up to three per cent, adding numbers for Directory enQuiry by Request (DQR) records, which are not available in printed directories.

Optional Extra Dataset

Extra Numbers

Increasing Ex-Directory and TPS registrations have significantly reduced the utility of the BT OSIS database

The telephone remains a vital and personal contact channel for many organisations

UKChanges have invested heavily in testing and licensing alternative datasets

Extra Numbers service forms a single, hassle-free hub for maximising telephone number append rates

Achieve significant uplift in matching rates when used in conjunction with BT OSIS data

Increase the number of communications channels available for your campaigns

Reduce cost per acquisition and improve campaign ROI by reducing wastage in the call centre

Increasing levels of Ex-Directory listings and TPS registrations over recent years have significantly reduced the pool of callable telephone numbers available through the BT OSIS file. Whilst the BT data remains the most current source of UK landline records, the file provides data managers with access to less than half of the telephone numbers in use today.

With the telephone remaining a vital, personal contact channel for organisations in many sectors, UKChanges has invested heavily in researching, testing and licensing alternative sources of opted-in UK telephone numbers.

The Extra Numbers dataset is the result of these ongoing efforts; combining the most significant, credible and complete sources of telephone numbers available to create a single resource where marketers can obtain the maximum possible accurate append rate from a single supplier - with minimum hassle.

Data contained in Extra Numbers is collected through a variety of contributors in different market sectors, all of whom expressly request permission for opt-in to third party marketing activity. The permissions obtained during collection override Ex-Directory status and TPS registrations, significantly increasing the pool of available data and providing an uplift in match rates of up to 50 percent when the file is used in conjunction with the BT OSIS database.

Screening against the Extra Numbers service will increase the amount of records on your database that can be used in telemarketing, sales and tele-research campaigns, extending the reach of your activities and the range of channels through which you can communicate your offer to potential customers. The effort invested in optimising the data before introducing it to the file also helps to maximise connection rates, reducing the cost per acquisition of telephone-based campaigns, improving the ROI achieved and helping to maintain the productivity and moral of calling agents.