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The most likely answer is simply that the phone companies are "greedy", but it could be claimed that '0845' numbers are worth more. '0845' numbers are so called non-geographic numbers, which means the caller doesn't have to dial an area code. Aside from saving a few seconds for the caller, it also ads value to any company using such a number as their official telephone number. Having an area code would make the number harder to remember for potential customers and would send a bad message as well (i.e. "we can't afford a nation wide number and we don't offer our products nationwide"). Therefore it might make sense for the phone company to charge extra for these numbers.

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Q: In the UK why do '0845' numbers cost more to call than other numbers?
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What is the cost to set up a free 0845 number?

There are no set up fee's for an 0845 number other than the cost to one's time. Websites such as Just 0845 Numbers and Free 0945 Phone Numbers are good sites to visit.


How much does it cost to call 0845 numbers on GiffGaff?

Contact the company - and ask for a tariff chart !


Do 0845 numbers cost more?

In the UK, 0845 is a non-geographic code, originally intended to provide a single national number that would be charged at rates comparable to a local call. However, 0845 numbers now cost more than a local call for most callers, and may even cost more than a long distance call, particularly for a mobile caller. Most "inclusive" plans do not include 0845 numbers. For that reason, 0845 numbers are much less popular than they once were, with many of them migrating to the new 03 range, which offers a better value for callers.


Is it best to have a 0845 or local number for your business?

It is better to have a local number than an 0845 number, since 0845 numbers in the UK can cost more than a long distance call. However, the new 03 range offers an alternative, with a single UK-wide number that costs the same as a local call and uses "inclusive" minutes in most mobile plans.


Are 0845 numbers free?

Numbers beginning 084x and 087x are "special services," and usually chargeable. 0845 and 0870 numbers work on a slightly different revenue system to other 084 and 087 numbers. Ofcom stopped revenue sharing on 0870 numbers in 2009. BT expected the same to happen to 0845 numbers so went ahead and allowed both 0870 and 0845 to be used within inclusive minutes. Ofcom stepped back from cancelling revenue share for 0845 numbers, so BT subsidises the approx 2p/min revenue share on calls to 0845 numbers. The price for 0845 numbers from landlines was tied to "local rate" before 2005. Since 2005, calls to 01 and 02 numbers are no longer charged by distance. There is a single "geographic rate". Additionally, most callers call 01 and 02 numbers for up to one hour within inclusive minutes. "Local rate" no longer exists. It is illegal to describe 084 numbers as "local rate". 0845 numbers cost up to 40p/min from mobiles. From landlines they cost up to 10p/min or many be usable within inclusive calls at certain times, depending on call package. Businesses should be moving to 0345 numbers to ensure their customers pay no more than they would for calling 01 and 02 numbers. The Consumer Rights Directive will force this move in 2014.


When are calls to 0845 numbers free?

Numbers beginning 084x and 087x are "special services," and usually chargeable. 0845 and 0870 numbers work on a slightly different revenue system to other 084 and 087 numbers. Ofcom stopped revenue sharing on 0870 numbers in 2009. BT expected the same to happen to 0845 numbers so went ahead and allowed both 0870 and 0845 to be used within inclusive minutes. Ofcom stepped back from cancelling revenue share for 0845 numbers, so BT subsidises the approx 2p/min revenue share on calls to 0845 numbers. The price for 0845 numbers from landlines was tied to "local rate" before 2005. Since 2005, calls to 01 and 02 numbers are no longer charged by distance. There is a single "geographic rate". Additionally, most callers call 01 and 02 numbers for up to one hour within inclusive minutes. "Local rate" no longer exists. It is illegal to describe 084 numbers as "local rate". 0845 numbers cost up to 40p/min from mobiles. From landlines they cost up to 10p/min or many be usable within inclusive calls at certain times, depending on call package. Businesses should be moving to 0345 numbers to ensure their customers pay no more than they would for calling 01 and 02 numbers. The Consumer Rights Directive will force this move in 2014.


How much does it cost to ring an 0845 phone number?

In general, all UK numbers beginning with 084 or 087 are nearly always more expensive to call then regular landline numbers beginning with 01 or 02.0844 numbers are almost never included in any 'free' minutes or talktime included in a phone package.From a BT landline, an 0844 number will typically cost up to a maximum of 5p per minute to call. However, charges made by other providers will vary. From mobile phones, it is not uncommon for charges to be closer to 40p per minute.The only way to be certain of call charges is to contact your telephone service provider and check the charge for the specific number you wish to dial.Breakdown of chargesCalling an 0843, 0844, 0871 or 0872 number has three cost components:1. The "Service Charge" or "premium".This varies from 0.5p/min to 4.3p/min depending on exactly which number you call. It's up to 9p/min for 0871 and 0872 numbers.Every caller, whether from landline or mobile, pays the same amount of "service charge" when calling the same number.This money is either shared out between the called party and their phone company in a "revenue share" arrangement, or the money is used to reduce their phone bill.Ofcom maintains a list of these rates.2. The "Access Charge" or "markup" or "profit".Callers from BT landlines pay ZERO for this component. BT is regulated to make no profit on calls to 0843, 0844, 0871 and 0872 numbers.Callers from other landlines pay zero to 10p/min "access charge" and this varies depending on who you pay your phone bill to; e.g. Sky Talk is zero and Virgin is approx 2p/min to 6p/min for 084 numbers and 6p/min to 10p/min for 087 numbers.Callers using mobile phones pay 10p/min to 30p/min for this component, and it varies depending on which mobile operator you pay your phone bill to.The network the caller used to make the call keeps this money.3. VATVAT is currently 20% of the total price.Note: 0845 numbers currently work slightly differently. The revenue share for 0845 numbers is approx 2p/min but varies depending on the provider. The call price from landlines is usually about 5p/min but some landline providers allow these calls within inclusive minutes and therefore subsidise the revenue share element. Ofcom will align 0845 pricing with that for 0843 and 0844 numbers in 2014 with the introduction of the recently announced "unbundled tariffs" scheme.See the related link for more details.


Are 0845 numbers free from a mobile phone?

Numbers beginning 084x and 087x are "special services," and usually chargeable.0845 and 0870 numbers work on a slightly different revenue system to other 084 and 087 numbers.Ofcom stopped revenue sharing on 0870 numbers in 2009. BT expected the same to happen to 0845 numbers so went ahead and allowed both 0870 and 0845 to be used within inclusive minutes. Ofcom stepped back from cancelling revenue share for 0845 numbers, so BT subsidises the approx 2p/min revenue share on calls to 0845 numbers.The price for 0845 numbers from landlines was tied to "local rate" before 2005. Since 2005, calls to 01 and 02 numbers are no longer charged by distance. There is a single "geographic rate". Additionally, most callers call 01 and 02 numbers for up to one hour within inclusive minutes."Local rate" no longer exists.It is illegal to describe 084 numbers as "local rate".0845 numbers cost up to 40p/min from mobiles.From landlines they cost up to 10p/min or many be usable within inclusive calls at certain times, depending on call package.Businesses should be moving to 0345 numbers to ensure their customers pay no more than they would for calling 01 and 02 numbers. The Consumer Rights Directive will force this move in 2014.Read more: Are_0845_numbers_free_to_call


How much does it cost to call an 0844 number on Vodafone?

The cost to cal an 0845 number on O2 is 55p per minute if you are on a Pay Monthly contact and 45p per minute if you are on a pay as you go contract. You will be charged a minimum of 1 minute per call.


How much does it cost to call an 0345 number on BT?

The cost to call an 0843 number on BT is not same for all. Calls from a BT landline cost 12p per minute plus the service charge. Similarly, Calls from a BT mobile cost 30p per minute plus the service charge.


How much does it cost to call UK 0850 numbers from a Virgin Media landline?

Cost to call an 0843 number on Virgin depends but at least 45p per minute. Basically, Charges for calls to 0843 numbers on Virgin are comprised of two main components. The first is an access charge, which is charged by Virgin itself. The second is a service charge, which is charged by the company running the 0843 number you are calling. This second charge will be advertised by the company you're calling.


Why 0800 numbers are famous for business use?

0800 numbers are numbers that a client can call, without paying for the call. The cost of the call is charted to the company that maintains the 0800 number. Companies do that to encourage people to call them, without having to worry about the cost of the call.