Telephone numbers in the United Kingdom facts for kids
Have you ever wondered how phone numbers work in the United Kingdom? Every phone number has a special meaning. They help us connect with friends, family, and important services. Let's explore the different types of UK phone numbers and what they are used for.
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What Do Phone Numbers Mean?
Numbers for Homes and Businesses (01 and 02)
Numbers that start with 01 or 02 are for regular phones. These are used by homes and businesses. They are often called geographic numbers because they are linked to a specific place.
These numbers have two main parts:
- The area code comes first. This code tells you which part of the country the phone is in. For example, 020 is for London. 0121 is for Birmingham. If you call someone in the same area, you might not need to dial the area code. It can be 2 to 5 digits long.
- The local number comes after the area code. This part is unique to each phone line in that area. It's usually 6, 7, or 8 digits long. Sometimes it can be 4 or 5 digits. For example, only one person in Manchester can have the number 9460018.
Here are some examples: (020) 7946 0018, (0117) 504 1102.
UK-Wide Numbers (03)
Numbers starting with 03 are for businesses and organisations. These numbers are not linked to a specific city or area. They are used by government offices or large companies.
The great thing about 03 numbers is their cost. They must always cost the same as a normal 01 or 02 call. This applies whether you call from a landline or a mobile phone. They are also usually included in your phone's call package.
Special Business and Internet Numbers (05)
Numbers that start with 05 are used for special business needs or internet phone services.
- 055 numbers are for very large businesses. They use these for their own private phone systems.
- 056 numbers are for internet phone services. These let you call an internet phone from a regular phone.
- 0500 numbers are free to call from a landline phone.
Mobile and Personal Numbers (07)
These numbers are mostly for mobile phones and similar services.
- 070 numbers are called 'personal numbers'. People use them to forward calls to different phones. Be careful, these can be very expensive to call!
- 076 numbers are for pagers. However, 07624 numbers are for mobile phones.
- Most other numbers starting with 07 are for mobile phones.
Numbers That Cost More (08)
These numbers have different call charges than regular phone calls.
- 0800 and 0808 numbers are usually free to call from landline phones. But if you call from a mobile, they might not be free. Some charity helplines are free from mobiles too.
- Numbers starting with 084 and 087 can cost more. Your phone company adds an 'Access Charge'. The organisation you are calling also adds a 'Service Charge'. This means the total cost can be higher. These numbers are usually not included in your call packages.
Premium Rate Numbers (09)
Numbers starting with 09 are the most expensive. They are called 'premium rate' numbers. They have a high 'Service Charge'. This charge can be up to £1.50 per minute!
These numbers are used for special services. For example, you might use them to pay for information, listen to recorded messages, or vote in competitions. You also pay an 'Access Charge' to your own phone network.
Important Phone Numbers
Some numbers are very important for emergencies or help.
- 100: Operator (for help with calls)
- 101: Police (for non-emergencies)
- 111: National Health Service (NHS) (for non-emergencies)
- 123: Current time (not available from all mobile phones)
- 999 or 112: Emergency services (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Phone Numbers in Overseas Territories
The United Kingdom has several overseas territories. Their phone numbers are not part of the UK phone system. If you call them, it's like making an international call.
North American Numbering Plan
Some territories use a system similar to North America. Their codes start with +1.
- Anguilla +1-264
- Bermuda +1-441
- British Virgin Islands +1-284
- Cayman Islands +1-345
- Montserrat +1-664
- Turks and Caicos Islands +1-649
Other Territories
Other territories have their own unique international codes.
- British Indian Ocean Territory +246
- Falkland Islands +500
- Gibraltar +350
- Saint Helena and Tristan da Cunha +290
- Ascension Island +247
- Akrotiri and Dhekelia +357 (Shared with Cyprus)
- Pitcairn Islands +64 (Shared with New Zealand)
See also
In Spanish: N%C3%BAmeros de tel%C3%A9fono en el Reino Unido para ni%C3%B1os
