Question 1

What are Ofcom drama numbers?

Accepted Answer

Ofcom sets aside blocks of telephone numbers that it will not allocate to any communications provider, specifically so writers can use them in television and radio without a real subscriber being called. The best known are 07700 900000–900999 for mobiles and 020 7946 0000–0999 for London.

Question 2

Why do some addresses use 01632?

Accepted Answer

01632 is an entire area code that has never been brought into service. Ofcom designates it as the drama code for every part of the country that does not have its own reserved block, so cities like Oxford, Cambridge and York get 01632 960xxx here rather than a number that would belong to a real exchange.

Question 3

Are the postcodes valid?

Accepted Answer

They are real postcodes in the right city and follow the correct outward-and-inward structure with the space in the middle, so format validators and city lookups will accept them. The building number in front is invented.