The new service, launched in response to customer feedback, allows companies to use a local phone number with BT Business Broadband Voice. Businesses can benefit from the free additional VoIP line that comes as standard with BT Business Total Broadband packages, and offers capped-price calls to mobile and international destinations, but now give their customers a familiar local number to call.

This allows them to meet the needs of the two thirds (66 per cent) of consumers who would still rather buy goods and services locally and the three quarters (77 per cent) of people who prefer to call a number with an area code close to their location, rather than phone a prefix they do not recognise.

For more information about Geographic Numbers, visit: http://www.btbroadbandoffice.com/internetapplications/bbv4b/bb_voice_home .