Call Charges and Phone Numbers
On the programme on 13 November 2024, we included advice on the cost of calling different phone numbers, and how the digits a phone number starts with offers an indication as to the cost of the call.
Phone numbers starting:
09 are premium rate numbers regulated by the Phone-paid Services Authority and can be extremely expensive.
0843, 0844 and 0845 are business rates numbers, costing up to 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.
0870, 0871, 0872 and 0873 are business rates numbers, regulated by the Phone-paid Services Authority, costing up to 13p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.
0800, 0808 are free phone services.
01, 02 or 03 are standard rate numbers.
Please be aware that actual charges may vary depending on your phone provider, and whether you are calling from a land line or mobile. So you should always check actual costs with your provider directly.
You should contact your phone provider if you have problems with call charges or phone bills. If you are unable to resolve a dispute you may wish to contact regulator Ofcom for advice.
You can find out more about call charges here -
