UK & Premium Rate Numbers

UK telephone numbers have a recognisable format for different uses.  The undernoted table gives a broad outline:

Special  Services

Most users are familiar with the approximate charges for many of the above categories, but considerable confusion remains about the charges for Special Services - calls to numbers beginning '08'.

Freephone Numbers

'0800' and '0808' numbers are normally free to the caller (the called party pays a premium to receive the call).  However some mobile tariffs do charge for 0800 calls - check your contract and/or tariff to see if this applies to you.

Local and National Rate Numbers

Most people assume that 'Local' (0845) and 'National' (0870) rate numbers are charged at the same rate as calls to geographic local and national numbers but this is rarely the case.  'Local Rate' calls can cost more than twice the cost of a call to a local geographic number.  Even where costs appear to be the same, similar or much-reduced, often no discounts are applied to these numbers.  Mobile networks seldom include calls to these numbers in their monthly calls-inclusive packages.

Minimise the Charges

Care should be taken to minimise the length of calls to these numbers.  For instance, don't wait in a queue to a '0870' number unless its urgent.  Call back at a quiet time such as early morning, lunchtime, late afternoon.

An understanding of how the system works can also help you avoid higher charges.  Special Services numbers are not allocated directly to telephone lines but are translated in the public network to a geographic number beginning '01' or '02'.

If you are able to find the geographic number you should dial this instead as call costs can be much reduced.