How much does it cost to call 0800/0845/0870 numbers from your mobile?
September 20th, 2011
Ken’s Tech Tips reveals the costs of calls to special numbers across the major mobile networks and how freephone numbers aren’t always free.
Many people assume that calls to freephone numbers are free. Unfortunately that’s not always true if you call from your mobile – calls to 0800 numbers from your mobile can cost up to 35p/minute. This means a 10 minute phone call to a “free” phone number could cost you up to £3.50! Calls to 0845 and 0870 (charged at local and national rate on BT) aren’t charged as standard calls either: again these cost up to 35p/minute depending on your network and you can’t use your inclusive minutes.
In this article, we aim to highlight the cost of calls to special numbers from a mobile phone. We’ll also discuss how much it costs to call from a BT landline and several ways you can cut the cost of calls to special numbers.
What does it cost to call an 0800 (freephone) number?
“Freephone” numbers are only free if you call from a BT landline. All of the major networks except from Giffgaff charge for calls to “free” phone numbers. This could be as high as 35p/minute. Calls to 0800 numbers are not included in your monthly allowance.
Note that a select few charity numbers and helplines are free-to-call from mobile phones too. Most of these begin with 0808 80. Please consult your tariff details for more information (links at the end of this article).
| Pay Monthly | Pay As You Go | |
|---|---|---|
 |
Free | |
 |
15.3p/min | 10.2p/min in 3G area, 15.3p/min otherwise |
 |
- | Free |
 |
20.4p/min | 15p/min |
 |
7.4p/min | 7p/min |
 |
7p/min | 7p/min |
 |
35p/min | 25p/min |
What does it cost to call an 0845 (“local rate”) number?
Many banks, companies and government services use an 0845 phone number. BT customers pay the same cost as they would for a local phone call (which could be nothing if your BT tariff includes free local calls). Mobile customers will pay between 12p/min and 35p/min. Once again, you cannot use your monthly allowance of minutes for calls to 0845 numbers.
| Pay Monthly | Pay As You Go | |
|---|---|---|
|
2p/minute but free on some plans if call shorter than 60 mins |
|
|
20.4p/min on One Plan 35p/min otherwise |
35p/min |
|
- | 20p/min |
|
20.4p/min | 25p/min |
|
12.4p/min | 12p/min |
|
12p/min | 12p/min |
|
35p/min | 25p/min |
What does it cost to call an 0870 (“national rate”) number?
Some companies use national rate 0870 phone numbers. If you use a landline, you’ll pay the standard rate for a national phone call (about 7.6p/min). With some BT plans, this is 1p/min off-peak or even free. Mobile customers have to pay between 12p/min and 35p/min to call 0870 numbers.
| Pay Monthly | Pay As You Go | |
|---|---|---|
|
7.6p/minute but free on some plans if call shorter than 60 mins |
|
|
20.4p/min on One Plan 35p/min otherwise |
35p/min |
|
- | 20p/min |
|
20.4p/min | 25p/min |
|
12.4p/min | 12p/min |
|
12p/min | 12p/min |
|
35p/min | 25p/min |
How can I reduce the cost of calls to special numbers?
photo: René Ehrhardt
There are several ways of reducing the cost of calls to special numbers:
- Use your landline. Calls to special numbers are almost always going to be far cheaper on your BT landline. Waiting until you get home before making the call can save you some money (many call centres are also less busy during these hours so you may spend less time on hold).
- Find the equivalent geographical number. Sometimes companies will provide two phone numbers for their call centre: a non-geographical number for use within the UK (beginning with 08) and a geographical number for use outside the UK (beginning with +44). It is a little known fact that the geographical number works within the UK too if you replace the +44 prefix with a zero (e.g. +44 20 becomes 020). Calls to geographical numbers should be included in your monthly airtime allowance.
- Use the SayNoTo0870 website. It provides you with an alternative geographical phone number for the number you want to dial. Calls to geographical numbers will be included in your mobile’s monthly allowance of minutes. Please use these websites with caution: many of the alternative phone numbers on this website are user-submitted and aren’t vetted. You should always double-check the authenticity of geographical numbers listed on this site from an official source. An application is available for iPhone and Android.
- Use Giffgaff for calls to 0800 numbers. Giffgaff are the only mobile network offering free calls to 0800 numbers.
Where can I find the list of charges on the mobile operator’s website?
The prices we’ve listed on this page are indicative and may not refer to your exact plan. You should double-check the tariff for your plan before making calls to any special rate numbers:
- BT: Residential Price Guide (page 4)
- Three: Three Price Guide (page 27)
- Giffgaff: Online Price Guide
- O2: Online “Special numbers” guide
- Orange: Dolphin Pay Monthly Price Guide and Dolphin PAYG Price Guide
- T-Mobile: Pay Monthly Special Numbers Price Guide and PAYG Special Numbers Price Guide
- Vodafone: Pay Monthly Price Guide and PAYG Price Guide
| About Ken | |
 | My mission is to demystify the world of mobile technology for general audiences and to communicate how mobile technology can enhance our every aspect of our daily lives. I've been maintaining the Ken's Tech Tips website since 2004. I have experience communicating mobile technology and presenting new mobile products both online and offline at various trade shows and events. If you'd like to get in touch, please drop me an e-mail. |
- How Tos & The Basics , Mobile , Tariffs
- Comments(3)
Two things that I have found very useful in my battle against the 08s are:
1) An Android app called “No to 08″ which intercepts any 08 number you dial and takes you to a simple web page with alternate 01 numbers to try.
2) A service called 0800Buster http://www.0800buster.co.uk/ which gives you an 01 number to dial and then prompts you for the 08 number and puts you through.
It is very obvious that calling 0845 phone number from a land line is much cheaper compared to using mobile phone.It’s also a good thing to know that Giffgaff offers free call to 0800 number.
Thank you so much. Information very helpful and clearly set out.