0800 numbers are freephone numbers that don’t belong to a specific geographic location and are ‘free to call’ from any UK-based mobile or landline.
When the rules changed around 0800 numbers
Prior to July 2015, it was only free to call 0800 numbers from landline phones while mobile users were charged by their provider.
It prompted questions about whether that was fair because 0800 numbers were confusingly labelled ‘freephone’ despite not truly being so.
Ofcom agreed, leading to the ‘UK Calling Initiative’ which brought greater transparency to the market for both companies and callers.
Since then, calls to 0800 numbers from mobile phones have been free. The decision was part of an overhaul planned by Ofcom after research had demonstrated a demand for landline calls had dramatically dropped while the use of mobiles increased each year.
Mobile owners can now dial those numbers safe in the knowledge they will not be charged in addition to their existing payment plan.
What was the impact of the 2015 change on 0800 numbers?
The change initially affected more than 175 million phone numbers, a figure that has since increased and means that neither landline nor mobile phone users are charged for freephone services.
Are 0800 numbers free to call across the UK?
Yes, 0800 numbers are free to call across the whole of the UK, excluding the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man which have their own policy in place for these calls.
Do I need to change my phone package?
No, your network provider will have automatically implemented Ofcom’s changes and will advise you of any access charges prior to calling these numbers.
Are 0800 Numbers free to call from a business phone?
While the 2015 initiative applies to calls from all residential and consumer mobile phones, phone providers still have the ability to charge what they wish for these calls from managed business phones.
Can I get an 0800 number for my business?
Yes! With most customers now solely using their mobiles to contact companies, it makes sense to integrate a mobile-friendly 0800 freephone number into your business.
At Smart Numbers, we offer a wide range of 0800 freephone numbers that can be diverted directly to your business phone number at your home, office, mobile or overseas.
Our 0800 numbers differ from other providers in that we only use the UK’s biggest Tier 1 networks which mean you are guaranteed reliability and call quality, unlike some of the less reliable internet telephony providers in the market.
With a massive range of call management features included with your 0800 number, we recommend talking to us before you buy one.
If you would like to know more about 0800 numbers and what Smart Numbers can provide your business don’t hesitate to get in touch on 0345 0178 179 or info@smart-numbers.net.