Telephone numbers starting 08, 09 and 118 are called ‘service numbers’. You might use them to make phone calls to organisations such as banks, travel services, government departments, or service providers.
From the 1st July 2015 Ofcom changed the way these numbers are charged for. They have communicated these changes through a campaign called UK Calling.
084, 087, 09 and 118 calls
Numbers beginning 084 and 087 are general service numbers for contacting organisations. Those beginning 09 are ‘premium rate’ service numbers; while those beginning 118 are directory enquiry numbers.
From 1 July 2015, the cost of calling any of these numbers has been split into two parts:
- The access charge: This is what we charge you, per minute, for connecting the call. Green Telecoms Access Charge is only 6p per minute for these numbers.
- The service charge: This is the remainder of the call charge. The organisation you are calling decides the service charge, and must communicate it. For example, if the service charge was 20p per minute, the organisation you are 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.
0845 and 0870 inclusive calls
Calls to these numbers will continue to be included as part of your calling plan when calling from a BT landline. This means that you won’t be charged if you call during your inclusive calling periods (excluding calls to dial-up internet, Calling Card and Dial-through access numbers). A fair usage policy applies with a maximum of 1,000 minutes or 150 calls a month. If either of these limits on inclusive calls is exceeded, BT will charge for these calls until further notice.
0800 and 0808 calls
Freephone numbers starting 0800 or 0808 will continue to be free to call from landlines, and from a BT mobile.
All these changes apply across every landline and mobile phone – not just your BT phone.
If you are unsure about how this will affect you call us FREE on 0800 014 9948 and we will be happy to discuss it further.
