Non-geographic numbers perform a variety of functions, so it’s vital that you select the right one for your business. Do so and you’ll help to:
- Generate more calls from potential clients and existing customers – Freephone numbers can really drive sales in the UK and abroad
- Operate more cost effectively – route your calls to different destinations – call centre, local office or head office, for example – depending on time of day or other factors, maximising your resources
- Convey a local or national presence – use different non-geographic numbers to change your regional focus
- Open up new markets – use international Freephone numbers to attract international business
- Introduce a new revenue stream – deploy a revenue-generating number
- Gain competitive advantage – have a cheaper number to call than your competition
- Cater to your individual market – a geographical NGN looks like a normal landline number, and costs the same as a normal landline number to call it, but it has all the functions and benefits of an NGN number
The main difference between the different types of NGNs is what it costs to call them, and whether there is an opportunity to generate revenue from them.
| Number type |
Cost to call |
Revenue share available |
| 0800 |
free* |
no |
| 0844 |
up to 5ppm* |
yes |
| 0871 |
up to 10ppm* |
yes |
| 03XX |
national rate |
no |
| Geo NGN |
national rate |
no |
| International freephone |
free |
no |
| 0845 |
4ppm* |
yes |
| 0870 |
8ppm* |
yes |
*mobile network pricing may vary
Legislative number changes
In an effort to improve price transparency and strengthen consumer protection, Ofcom are in the process of changing the way inbound numbering works. These changes will mostly affect 0870, 0845 and 0871 numbers. Visit our NGN number changes section for the latest information.
Introducing 03 numbers
After a wave of negative publicity in the summer of 2006, the 08 number range was the subject of an Ofcom investigation. The regulator found that there was customer confusion regarding the cost to call this number range, and that charges were neither clear, nor consistent.
To restore consumer confidence in non-geographic numbers, Ofcom decided to introduce a transparent alternative to profit sharing number ranges. Principally aimed at not-for-profit and local authority organisations, the range can also be used by commercial ventures.
Find out more about 03 numbers.
