How much do your phone calls really cost?
0800 & 0808, 0843, 0844 and 0845, 0870, 0871, and 0872, 0300, 0330, 0333, 0344, 0345, and 0370 - there are now so many new types of phone numbers that it's become confusing and difficult to know how much they cost to call.
This guide reflects the cost of calling common UK phone numbers from all UK phone providers, including mobiles.
01 and 02 geographic numbers
These numbers relate to specific locations in the UK and are used for business and residential lines. For example, Bournemouth is 01202, Plymouth is 01752 and London is 020.
How much do calls cost? Nowadays, most callers will have an inclusive allowance on their landline or mobile for calling these numbers. Outside of inclusive allowances, calls cost 2p to 20p per minute plus a connection fee of around 23p per call from landlines or 3p to 65p per minute from mobiles. The call cost is set by the caller’s provider.
03 numbers
Non-geographic 03 numbers are used by many types of businesses and organisations often as a replacement for more expensive numbers previously in use. Numbers starting 030 are reserved for government departments and public services, healthcare services, charities and other non-profit making organisations. They are used by the BBC, RSPCA and Ofcom among many others.
Numbers starting 033 can be used by any organisation needing a new number. Numbers starting 034 and 037 are for use by organisations migrating from the matching 084 or 087 number. Available ranges include 0300, 0303, 0330, 0333, 0344, 0345 and 0370. Ofcom rules in place since 2007 require that callers pay no more to call 03 numbers than to call 01 and 02 numbers.
How much do calls cost? Nowadays, most callers will have an inclusive allowance on their landline or mobile for calling these numbers. Outside of inclusive allowances, calls cost 2p to 20p per minute plus a connection fee of around 23p per call from landlines or 3p to 65p per minute from mobiles. The call cost is set by the caller’s provider.
071-075 and 077-079 mobile numbers
How much do calls cost? Some landline operators and most mobile operators offer deals with inclusive calls to mobile numbers. Outside of inclusive allowances, calls to mobile numbers cost 3p to 24p per minute plus a connection fee of around 23p per call from landlines or 3p to 65p per minute from mobiles. The call cost is set by the caller’s provider.
070 personal numbers
These numbers are often used as a ‘follow me’ service where calls are forwarded to a number chosen by the called party and the call can be further diverted to another number on busy or no answer. Some small businesses and sole traders use these numbers to make it easy for them to manage calls. They are also used for small ads where the seller does not wish to divulge the final destination number.
How much do calls cost? After Ofcom reforms effective 1 October 2019, some landline and mobile providers are beginning to include calls to Personal Numbers starting 070 in allowances on the same basis as calls to mobile numbers. Outside of inclusive allowances, some retail providers are now profiteering and calls to Personal Numbers can still cost up to £1.25 per minute from landlines or up to £2.50 per minute from mobiles.
080 freephone numbers (0800 and 0808)
Businesses of all sizes use 0800 and 0808 numbers to help promote their product or service, as research has shown that over 90% of people recognise that 0800 and 0808 numbers are completely free to call.
How much do calls cost? Calls to 080 numbers are free of charge from all UK landlines and mobiles! Read more here.
Call NGNs Cheaper – Click here to find out how
Chargeable 084, 087 and 09 numbers
These were historically used by businesses and organisations for sales, enquiry and customer service lines and for some pay as you go internet access services, however these days tend to be recorded information lines, chatlines and international dial through services.
The call cost consists of two parts. There’s an Access Charge set by and paid to the benefit of the caller’s landline or mobile provider and a Service Charge set by and paid to the benefit of the called party and their telecoms provider.
The Access Charge can be up to 20p per minute from landlines or up to 65p per minute from mobiles. The caller’s phone provider must list the details in their tariff lists. The Service Charge varies depending on the number called and the called party must show it wherever their number is advertised or promoted.
084 service numbers (0843, 0844 and 0845)
How much do calls to 084 numbers cost? Calls are charged from 5p to 7p per call and/or 1p to 7p per minute, plus the caller’s phone provider’s access charge. Some services provided on these numbers, such as chatlines and call connection services, are regulated by the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) to provide additional protection for callers.
087 service numbers (0870, 0871 and 0872)
How much do calls cost? Calls are charged from 5p to 13p per call and/or 1p to 13p per minute, plus the caller’s phone provider’s access charge. Services provided on these numbers are regulated by Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) to provide additional protection for callers.
09 premium rate numbers (090, 091 and 098)
09 numbers are mainly used for paid for services such as international dial-around services, competitions, TV voting, horoscopes, adult chat lines and professional advice lines. You can bar calls to 09 numbers, as you can with other numbers. These numbers are also regulated by Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA).
How much do calls cost? Calls are charged from 5p to £6.00 per call and/or 1p to £3.60 per minute, plus the caller’s phone provider’s access charge.
Source: Ofcom
Page last updated 1st April 2020