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Improved Call Costs Guide by Ofcom - Last updated November 2024

This useful guide was originally prepared by the communications regulator and slightly improved by UK2Numbers to incorporate the latest 2024 updates. We will always keep this guide up to date with the latest changes.

While many calls are captured within the inclusive minutes, that come as part of your contract - and therefore come at no extra cost - some fall outside bundle packages and are charged on a per minute or per call basis. You can find out typical minimum and maximum charges below.

The prices on this page are indicative only and should not be used as a definitive list of call charges. Actual costs depend on your communication provider and a number of factors such as individual calling plans, time of day and the exact number called. The only certain and definitive way to find out the cost of call is the call your telecom provider and ask what they are charging you or to check your contract.

0800 Numbers | Freephone Numbers

A number of businesses and organisations use Freephone numbers, including some helplines and charities such as Action on Hearing Loss or Age UK, as well as Government services such as Jobseekers Allowance.

Calls are free of charge from all consumer landlines and mobile phones. If you are calling from a business phone, you should check with your provider whether there will be a charge for calling 0800 or 0808.

01 and 02 Numbers | Virtual Landline Numbers | Geographic Numbers

These numbers relate to specific locations in the UK and are used for homes and businesses. For example, Edinburgh is 0131 and London is 020. These geographic numbers are sometimes referred to as 'basic rate', 'local rate' or 'national rate'.

Calls from landlines and mobiles are typically free for those with inclusive call minutes. Without the inclusive call package, charge could be whatever the callers telecom provider chooses to charge their customer, but on average calls from landlines are charged up to 16p per minute with, plus an optional 23p call set-up fee (or 'connection charge'), but this can vary. Call charges are dependent on the time of day, and most providers offer call packages that allow calls free of charge at certain times of the day.

Call costs from mobiles vary according to the calling plan chosen. Typically, they are included in free call packages. However, if you call an 01/02 number outside of any inclusive minutes, they can cost between 3p and 65p per minute.

03 Numbers | UK-wide Non-Geographic Numbers

Many organisations use 03 numbers as a national contact and an alternative to 01/02 landline. For example, many public sector bodies have moved to (0330 0333 0303 0300 0345). Calls cost no more than calls to geographic numbers (01 or 02) - see above; and must be included in inclusive minutes in the same way. Call costs are the same for all 03 numbers.

0845 Numbers

These service numbers are used by organisations for sales or enquiry lines. Calls from landlines and mobiles are typically free for those with inclusive call minutes.

As with other numbers, without the inclusive call package, charge could be whatever the callers telecom provider chooses to charge their customer. Without the inclusive call minutes package, the cost of calling 0843, 0844 and 0845 numbers is made up of two parts: an access charge going to your phone company, and a service charge set by the organisation you are calling.

The service charge for calls to 084 numbers is between 0p and 7p per minute. The access charge - which is additional to the service charge - will vary depending on your phone company, and can range from 0p to 65p per minute. Many consumers already have inclusive call minutes and can benefit from free calls to 0845 numbers.

0871 Numbers

These service numbers are used by organisations for sales or enquiry lines. The cost of calling 087 numbers is made up of two parts: an access charge going to your phone company, and a service charge set by the organisation you are calling. The service charge for calls to 087 numbers is between 0p and 13p per minute. The access charge - which is additional to the service charge - will vary depending on your phone company, and can range from 0p to 65p per minute.

070 Personal Numbers

These used to be different from mobile numbers, but since October 2019 calls to 070 cost the same as calls to UK mobiles, meaning no more than 0.5 pence per minute. They can be used as a 'follow me' service, where calls are diverted from another number.

Businesses use 070 numbers to make it easy to manage calls. Personal numbers are also sold on a one-off basis, for example when someone is buying or selling a used car and doesn't want to advertise their private phone number on a website or magazine. Some phone companies include calls to these numbers in call allowances in the same way that they do for calls to mobiles. However, some do not, and calls can cost anything callers telecom provider chooses to charge them.

Want to know more?

If an issue that you would like to know more about is not covered in this support section then please e-mail us and we will resolve the problem for you. Also any sections that you feel should be added to these pages then please e-mail us with details as we welcome customer feedback.

To gain better understanding of our service, before placing an order please review our General and other FAQ and Support pages.

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