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Landline Phones -
Cost of calls from residential fixed line phones

The following answers some questions about 08 telephone numbers, what they are used for and how much they normally cost.

1. What are 084 and 087 numbers used for?

084 and 087 numbers are non-geographic numbers, that are used by business and public sector organisations to provide a wide range of services such as sales lines, customer service/enquiry functions, recorded information services and many more. They are also widely used to provide pay-as-you-go dial-up internet services.

These numbers can allow the business or organisation using the number to receive a share of the call charge.

Calls to these numbers are generally more expensive to call than ordinary geographic numbers (which start with 01 or 02). Also 084 and 087 numbers are usually excluded from call packages.

Freephone numbers (including 0800) are mainly used for members of the public to access some essential services, sales lines and helplines.

2. How much do calls to 08 numbers cost?

The cost of calls to these numbers are regulated for BT customers. Other providers’ charges are not regulated and may therefore vary so you should speak to your service provider for more information or advice.

Maximum rates for BT customers are listed below.

• 0800 and 0808 Freephone, free of charge for BT customers
• 0845 calls are charged at up to 3.95p/min for BT customers.
• 0844 calls are charged at up to 5p/min for BT customers.
• 0870 calls are charged at up to 7.9p/min for BT customers.
• 0871 calls cost up to 10p/min for BT customers.

NB:
BT also charges a call setup fee for all calls to 08 numbers apart from Freephone numbers.

BT currently includes 0845 and 0870 numbers in call packages such as BT Together so rates for some BT customers are lower than quoted above.

3. What has Ofcom changed with regard to these numbers?

Ofcom has proposed that calls to 0870 numbers should normally cost no more than calls to geographic numbers (01 or 02 numbers) and that 0870 calls should be included in communications providers’ call packages price plans on the same basis as geographic calls.

Communications providers that want to charge 0870 calls at rates above those for geographic numbers would be bound by strict rules about how prices are publicised and would be responsible for ensuring their customers know what 0870 calls cost.

4. What are the benefits of these numbers?

08 numbers support a range of call systems and services that allow call centre operators to answer calls more quickly and efficiently.

08 numbers are non-geographic i.e. they are not determined by the location of the business unlike geographic numbers (01 or 02). This means that calls can often be put through to several locations (i.e. three call centres using the same number), or can be put through to the nearest call centre to where you are calling from. These numbers often include a disaster recovery system meaning that if, for example, one call centre has been affected by a flood, then all calls would be re-routed to another call centre using the same number.

Another feature of 08 numbers is that they allow companies the option of ‘revenue sharing’. This is when the organisation is able to charge for the services they offer, such as having a call centre open 24 hours or payment for an advice line, by receiving some of the cost of the call. Examples of this include pay-as-you-go internet services, which often use 0845 numbers.

5. Are businesses and organisations allowed to make money by using these numbers?

Revenue sharing, where a business or organisation is able to share the revenue that is generated by per-minute call charges, is allowed on all 084 and 087 numbers. However, Ofcom’s proposals would effectively end revenue sharing on 0870 numbers when combined with other proposed changes to non-geographic call regulation.

6. Why does Ofcom allow public bodies to use 0870 numbers?

Ofcom does not determine which numbers organisations should use. We encourage public bodies to use the cheaper 03 number range.

03 numbers have been available to use since early 2007. They can cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number and must count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls.