Neighbourhood Numbers are advertised by providers. Providers can display the Neighbourhood Number on their vehicles and shop signage, business cards, t-shirts and caps. Consumers are encouraged to call the relevant easy to remember Neighbourhood Number when sourcing goods and services.

Businesses pay a monthly licensing fee to secure the rights to receive calls from a single Neighbourhood Number (eg. 1300 PLUMBER) in at least one postcode that they service (See example below).

Based on current market experience, it is envisaged that businesses will secure the rights to Neighbourhood Numbers with long term agreements (anywhere from 36 months to 60 months). Each business then receives the benefit of the shared Neighbourhood Number marketing conducted by providers and calls from consumers that require that business' product or service within that suburb.

Each postcode in Australia can only be secured by one provider at any one time. That provider then receives calls from any consumers that require that provider's product or service within that postcode. Although each suburb can only be secured by one provider, that provider may choose to secure numerous postcodes that they service.

When a consumer calls a Neighbourhood Number, a short greeting message prompts the consumer to enter the postcode in which they require the product or service. The system routes the call to the subscribed provider in the requested postcode. If the postcode has not yet been subscribed to or the provider has been switched off, the system can 'dynamically route' the call to the closest subscribed area. Alternatively, the system can automatically transfer the call to a call centre.