The version of the OFTEL Specified Numbering Scheme dated 18 March 2002 included designations that potentially pave the way for renumbering to 8-digit numbers.
However, no formal announcements have yet been made regarding renumbering in these areas, and OFTEL have indicated that no changes will take place without public consulation, so please do not assume that that renumbering will take place as indicated, or, indeed, at all.
Note that this plan completely supersedes, and is entirely different from the original "All Wales" plan of July 1998.
Note that a few areas in England close to the boundary of Wales are also included. These areas are also included (with different "DE" digits) in the plans for the relevant English Regions.
"DE" digits were "designated" in the following areas to reserve the initial digits to allow for migration from existing (01ABC) xx xxxx numbers to (029) DExx xxxx. This would in theory allow for parallel running of old and new local numbers.
DE Code Area
20 01222 Cardiff (implemented April 2000) 21 22 23 01678 Bala * 24 01348 Fishguard 25 26 27 01639 Neath 28 01600 Monmouth # 29
30 01650 Cemmaes Road, 01691 Oswestry # 31 32 01490 Corwen, 01678 Bala *, 01824 Ruthin 33 01341 Dolgellau, 01654 Machynlleth *, 01970 Aberystwyth * 34 35 36 37 38 39 01685 Merthyr Tydfil, 01874 Brecon *
40 01286 Caernarfon 41 01352 Mold 42 43 01874 Brecon * 44 45 46 01948 Whitchurch # 47 01745 Rhyl 48 49 01497 Hay-on-Wye #, 01591 Llanwrtyd Wells, 01982 Builth Wells
50 01437 Haverfordwest & Clynderwen, 01646 Milford Haven 51 01633 Newport 52 53 01443 Pontypridd 54 01974 Llanon 55 01495 Pontypool 56 57 58 59 01656 Bridgend
60 01873 Abergavenny # 61 62 01758 Pwllheli 63 64 65 66 67 68 01554 Llanelli 69 01267 Carmarthen, 01269 Ammanford
70 01492 Colwyn Bay, 01690 Betws-y-Coed 71 01544 Kington #, 01597 Llandrindod Wells 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 01248 Bangor 79 01559 Llandyssul, 01834 Tenby, 01994 St.Clears
80 01550 Llandovery, 01558 Llandeilo, 01570 Lampeter 81 01654 Machynlleth *, 01970 Aberystwyth * 82 83 84 01766 Porthmadog 85 01446 Barry 86 01239 Cardigan, 01545 Llanarth 87 88 89 01407 Holyhead
90 01291 Shirenewton (Chepstow) 91 01792 Swansea 92 93 01547 Knighton #, 01686 Newtown 94 01938 Welshpool # 95 01978 Wrexham 96 01588 Craven Arms # 97 98 01244 Chester # 99 (not applicable)
Notes:
* These number groups appear twice in the list, presumably reflecting alternative options of renumbering the groups separately, or of "combining" the groups. "DE" blocks already in use in any of the areas potentially to be combined have been "protected" in the others.
# These number groups (which straddle ther border between Wales and England) are also included (with different "DE" digits designated) in the West Midlands or North West schemes.
The designated codes no longer seem to be grouped in a geographical layout, unlike the original "All Wales" plan of July 1998.