Key Information About 105

105 Q&A, July 2016 Key information about 105  105 is a new number that you can call to report or get information about a power cut.  You can call 105 no matter who you choose to buy electricity from.  105 is one of the ways that you can contact your electricity network operator. Your network operator can also be contacted directly by phone or via their website – most network operators can be contacted through social media too.  105 is a free service for people in England, Scotland and Wales.  You can also call 105 if damage to electricity power lines and substations could put you, or someone else, in danger. If there is a serious immediate risk to someone, you should call the emergency services too.  You can call 105 from most landlines and mobile phones.  To find out who your network operator is, visit powercut105.com FAQs Q: What is 105? A: 105 is a new number that people in England, Scotland and Wales can call to report or get information about power cuts in their area. 105 is free to call and will put people straight through to their local network operator. The public can also call 105 if they spot damage to electricity power lines and substations that could put themselves, or someone else, in danger. If there is a serious immediate risk, people should call the emergency services too by dialling 999.

Q: When will the public be able to use 105? A: 105 is live and will be fully up and running and launched to the public in September 2016. At this point, the public will be able to call 105 from most landlines and mobile phones.

Q: Can people call their electricity network operator directly? A: Yes. 105 is just one of the ways that people can contact their electricity network operator. People can also contact their network operator directly by phone or via their website. Most network operators can be contacted through social media too. To find out who your network operator is, use the postcode finder tool at powercut105.com.

Q: Why do we need 105? A: Many people don’t know they should contact their local electricity network operator if they have a power cut. They often mistakenly call the electricity supplier they pay their bills to. That’s why the networks are introducing 105 – to give customers an easy-to-remember number to call that will put them through to the local people who can help.

Q: What is an electricity network operator? A: Electricity network operators manage and maintain the underground cables, overhead wires and substations that bring electricity into homes and businesses. They are the organisations that people should contact if they experience a power cut - no matter who they pay their bill to. In England, Scotland and Wales, there are six Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) that operate in different geographical regions and multiple Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNOs) that can operate anywhere in Great Britain. DNOs and IDNOs are each responsible for ensuring that homes and businesses have electricity 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Q: How will the public be made aware of 105? A: A consumer awareness campaign, led by the electricity network operators, will be launched in September 2016. This will involve advertising, social media, media relations and work with partners to ensure that as many people as possible know about 105 and how it can benefit them.