Call charges and costs for different phone numbers

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Calls to 09 numbers - premium rate numbers

Numbers that begin with 09 are predominantly used for paid-for services, such as TV shows, competitions, chatlines and horoscopes.

They are the most expensive type of phone number, and calls can cost anything from 10p to £1.50 a minute from a BT landline. For other providers, costs will vary depending on the number being called and the call duration.

If your household makes a lot of these calls, or you’re finding calls to 09 numbers on your itemised monthly bill, it is possible to bar them - just speak to your phone provider.

Calls to 0845, 0870 and other 08 numbers

There are several different types of 08 number in use in the UK. Below is a breakdown of what each number is used for, and how much they will cost to call:

• 0800 and 0808 numbers - Some charities and business helplines, such as Childline and British Gas, use 0800 and 0808 numbers. These are usually free from a fixed landline, but will be charged for if you call from a mobile phone.
• 0843 and 0844 numbers - These numbers are used by businesses for sales, enquiry and customer service lines. Calls are charged at up to 5p a minute for BT customers; however calls with other providers may vary. If you call a 0843 or 0844 number from a mobile it will cost considerably more.
• 0845 and 0870 numbers - Calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers are free if calling from a BT landline, depending on the time of the day. Other home phone providers may charge though, so you should always check.
• 0871, 0872 and 0873 numbers - BT customers may be charged up to 10.2p a minute for calls to these numbers , but other phone providers will vary, so be sure to check your terms and conditions before calling.

For more information, read our guide on Free calls to 0870 and 0845 numbers.

Calls to 07 numbers - mobile numbers

Unless you have a calling plan add-on, calls to mobile numbers are not normally included in your free calls allowance, and are charged at a more expensive rate than landline calls, which mean your bills can soon mount up.

Some home phone providers, such as BT and TalkTalk, offer calling plan add-ons that can help reduce the cost of calling mobiles, for a monthly fee. For example, BT customers can save 40% on daytime pence-per-minute rates to UK mobiles compared with BT standard rates with the “Save on mobile calls” add-on.

How much do these calls cost?

Costs do vary depending on the network of the number you are calling. The table below shows the prices of calling a mobile on the O2 network:

A one-off call connection fee will apply to each call as well. This is a fixed price, regardless of the calls duration and the network you’re calling.

Calls to 070 numbers - personal numbers

Numbers that begin with 070 are personal numbers and are different to mobile numbers - calls to these numbers are often a lot more expensive.

These are called personal numbers and they were introduced to allow customers to retain a single number, and divert the single number to different numbers at will. Some small businesses and sole traders use these numbers to make it easier to manage their calls.

They are not included in calling plan allowances and costs to call personal numbers vary depending on the number and the time of day you’re calling.

How much do these calls cost?

BT stipulates that calls to 070 numbers will not cost more than 51p per minute, with a maximum call connection fee of 51p, while calls to personal numbers with Primus Saver cost between 9.79p and 48.94p a minute as well as a one-off call connection fee.

Calls to 03 numbers - UK-wide geographic numbers

Numbers beginning with 03 were introduced as an alternative to the expensive numbers beginning with 08 (e.g. 0870 and 0845).

These numbers were introduced to enable organisations such as charities, banks and the NHS to offer consumers one phone number that would be charged at the same cost as calls to geographic numbers (numbers beginning 01 or 02). They are used by the BBC, the RSPCA, the Met Police and Ofcom, for example.

How much do these calls cost?

Calls to these numbers should cost no more than a call to a national number. So, if you have a calls package that includes free evening and weekend calls, calls made during the evening or at the weekends to an 03 number will be free.

Calls to 01 and 02 numbers - geographic numbers

Numbers that begin with 01 or 02 are known as geographic numbers and relate to specific areas in the UK. For example, homes and businesses in London will have a number that begins 020, in Reading the numbers begin 01189 and the area code in Brighton is 01273.

When it comes to making calls, these numbers are divided into two types:

• Local numbers - Numbers with the same area code as your landline number, e.g. someone in Edinburgh calling another landline number in Edinburgh
• National numbers - Numbers with a different area code to your landline, e.g. someone in Bath calling a landline number in Aberdeen.

If your home phone supplier offers free evening and weekend calls to these numbers, you won’t have to pay for these calls - but it’s important you know your tariffs’ terms and conditions, as most free calls can only last for 60 minutes.

How much do these calls cost?

Providers that offer free calls to geographic 01 and 02 numbers sometimes have exceptions, so you should check with your home phone supplier. Calls to Jersey aren’t included with BT for example, even though the area code is 01534. For more information, read our guide on The cost of calling the Channel Islands.