Changes to Non Geographical Numbers

Posted 5 years ago

How 08, 09 and 118 numbers are charged

Telephone numbers starting 08, 09 and 118 are called service numbers. We also call them special numbers. You might use them to make calls to organisations such as banks, travel services, government departments, or even to vote in TV shows.

From 1 July 2015, the regulator Ofcom is changing the way you’re charged for these numbers. The changes are designed to make the cost of calls clearer, and they’re being shared through a campaign called UK Calling.

084, 087, 09 and 118

Numbers beginning 084 and 087 are general service numbers for contacting organisations. Those beginning 09 are premium rate service numbers, and those beginning 118 are directory enquiry numbers.

From 1 July 2015, the cost of calling any of these numbers will be split into two parts:

• The access charge - This part of the call charge goes to your phone company, charged as a pence per minute. We will tell you how much the access charge will be for calls to service numbers. It needs to be made clear on bills and when you take out a contract. For a list of all Abzorb’s Access charges see Table 1 below.

• The service charge - this is the rest of the call charge. The organisation you’re calling decides the service charge, and must communicate it. For example, if the service charge was 20p per minute, the organisation you’re calling might say "Calls cost 20p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge". 

By adding together the access charge and the service charge, you’ll know exactly what the call will cost you.

0800 and 0808

Freephone numbers starting 0800 or 0808, which are generally already free from landlines, will be free for consumers to call from mobile phones from 1 July 2015. After that date, you will not be charged for calling any number starting 0800 or 0808 from any network.

Find out more

All of these changes apply across every landline and mobile phone. To find out more, visit http://www.ukcalling.info/

Table 1 (Access Charge)

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