What is the problem? Absence of EU-wide phone numbers

Currently there are very few EU-wide phone numbers. The most known are: EU's emergency number 112 and missing children hotline 116 000. Currently exist many different harmonisation rules across the Member States which makes it difficult to introduce new EU-wide telephone numbers quickly.

Why is the EU action required? EU can harmonise numbers

Thanks to the deployment of the Europe-wide 112 emergency number, anyone can phone emergency services in any Member State without having to remember 27 different national emergency telephone numbers. The common 116 000 hotlines for missing children are becoming operational throughout the EU as well. However harmonised numbers still offer vast potential, for business as well as public services. Improved harmonisation of national numbering rules would allow businesses to provide customer-related services through a single EU-wide contact point. Harmonisation of numbering regimes will open up further possibilities for EU public and private entities and will compliment the European Single Market.

What will the Commission do?

By the end of 2011 European Commission will:

• Take a policy decision on further harmonisation of EU-wide phone for business services
• Revise the eligibility criteria for 116 numbers

Contact:

paraskevi.michou@ec.europa.eu