What is an 033 number?
An 033 number is a telephone number that is charged the same as the local rate when phoning from the UK. Calls to 033 numbers and 0330 telephone numbers will cost your callers the same as calls to geographic numbers (starting 01 or 02), and will be included as part of any inclusive call minutes included in your mobile or landline contract
03 Numbers can be divided into two categories
1. 030 telephone numbers (mainly 0300 numbers) which can only be used by Public Sector and Registered Charities
2. Any other 03 numbers (0330, 0333, 0345, 0370) that any company can use
What is the cost of calling a 0330 number?
One of the many questions that many people have is – how much am I going to pay to call a 0330 number? Well, that depends on a range of different matters. The main one is that the method and provider that you’re using to make the call. The use of 0330 number is regulated by Ofcom, and so is the amount that service providers are allowed to charge to call them.
Cost to call 0330 numbers from mobile
The main advantage of using a 0330 number is the cost. The number costs exactly the same as if you were calling a normal landline number to a home or business for example. Therefore you will be charged the same amount as the usual national or local numbers that start with the area codes ’02’ and ’01’. Here’s how much it costs to call from popular mobile service providers.
| Mobile Operator | Bundled minutes cost | Outside Bundle cost |
|---|---|---|
| EE | Free | 30p/m |
| GiffGaff | Free | 10p/m |
| O2 | Free | 35p/m |
| Tesco Mobile | Free | 25p/m |
| Three Mobile | Free | 3p/m |
| Vodafone | Free | 30p/m |
Cost to call 0330 numbers from landline
Another advantage of buying a business 0330 number is that if your mobile phone or landline tariff includes calls to landline telephone numbers or a monthly minutes, then 0330 numbers will be included. This means that if you use your mobile telephones monthly quota of ‘minutes’, for example, you will not be charged anything extra for making the call to a 0330 number.
It is important to point out that 0330 numbers are not the same as 0800 and 0808 freephone numbers. However, they appear to be free phone numbers to many people because they are often included as no further charges on both mobile and landline call packages.
Here’s how much it costs to call 0330 numbers from landline at peak times from your Landline.
| Provider | Approximate peak time charges |
|---|---|
| BT | 12p/m + 21p set up charge |
| TalkTalk | 13.5ppm |
| Gradwell | 1.25ppm |
What is the 0330 number?
Any number beginning with 03 is classed as a non-geographic number. These are charged at standard geographic rates – i.e. the same as a call to a normal landline number, or a 01/02 number. This is the rule across all suppliers, and is written into telecoms legislation – therefore you should never be charged differently or more than a call to a normal landline. Telecommunications legislation means that these usually just come out of the inclusive minutes of a contract.
Despite the fact that there is still some unease around the numbers, they have been in circulation for a relatively long amount of time. First introduced in 2007, they have steadily been picked up by businesses and organisations looking for a recognisable number. Unlike the 0345 or 0370 – both of which are intrinsically linked to their 08 equivalent – the 0330 number range offers companies a quick and easy way in which to get a memorable telephone number for their business.
Over the coming years, as 08 numbers become increasingly sparse, consumers should expect to see a lot more 0330 numbers being used by businesses – and questions over the amount it costs to call them should lower as people get used to dialling them regularly.
Buying 0330 numbers
If you are interested in purchasing an 0330 number for either diverting to your existing number or as a direct VoIP connection please get in touch we provide all UK numbers and special service numbers at very competitive rates.