Non-Geographic, Premium Rate Numbers/Services and International Destinations 

Introduction 

Telephone numbers in the UK are set out in two sections: geographic (01 and 02) and non-geographic (03, 084, 087, 09, 118). As you would expect, geographic numbers are generally linked to a location. Non-geographic numbers, unlike geographic telephone numbers and the cost of calling non-geographic numbers, is not linked to a specific UK location i.e. a town. 

The costs of calling any non-geographic number can vary and you should always check the rates associated with these calls https://pozitivetelecom.com/tarrifs/ 

What are Non-geographic numbers 

Non-geographic numbers include numbers beginning with ’03’, ‘084’, ‘087’, ’09’ or 118 . 

Sometimes, these numbers are called ‘Service’ or ‘Premium Rate Service’ numbers and have a two-part charge for calling them. 

Calls to 03 numbers 

03 numbers are increasingly used by businesses as their main customer contact numbers and for business to business communication.  Calls to 03 numbers have to cost the same as calls to 01 and 02 geographic numbers. So, we’ve included calls to these numbers as part of your package. 

What are Premium Rate Services (PRS)?  

Premium Rate Services (PRS) are regulated by the Phone-Paid Services Authority1 and are sometimes known as Phone-Paid Services. These non-geographic numbers (those beginning 087, 09 & 118) can be used to make purchases and the charge is made to your phone bill.  

Numbers which support Premium Rate Services are often used to call services such as: recorded information, competitions, voting, directory enquiry information, advice or chat lines. 

Those companies providing these services, as mentioned above, are called Service Providers.  

It is important to note that calls to these services vary considerably and it is important to check the cost of calling to avoid large bills. Please see our price list https://pozitivetelecom.com/tarrifs/ The Service Provider should make it clear in their adverts the cost of making calls to their service. 

Sometimes, non-geographic Premium Rate Services are called Number Translation Services and the terms NTS and PRS are used interchangeably.  

Other non-geographic numbers begin: 

• 0800 and 0808 numbers or ‘Freephone’ numbers are free to the caller from landlines and mobiles. These calls will not be shown on your bill.  

• Texts or Short code numbers which can be 4, 5 or 6 digits in length are called SMS (Short Message Service) short codes. These are often used by businesses to allow customers to opt-in to SMS campaigns, alert services, or to enter SMS competitions. Like Premium Rate numbers, these may cost more to call/text than standard numbers.  See our price list https://pozitivetelecom.com/tarrifs/ 

• 070 referred to as ‘Personal Numbers’. These are often used as a ‘follow me’ service where calls are diverted from one number to another. Therefore, the person being called keeps their number private. 070 numbers differ from mobile numbers which usually begin with 071 to 075 or 077 to 079.  See our price list https://pozitivetelecom.com/tarrifs/ 

Cost of calling non-geographic and Premium Rate Service (PRS) Numbers 

Calls to non-geographic numbers (calls beginning 084, 087, 09 and 118) are charged in two parts – the Access Charge and the Service Charge. 

The Service Charge is set and charged by the network operator who terminates the call and enables you to access the service (Service Provider) once your call is connected. This charge should be made clear and advertised by the Service Provider alongside their number. This charge is not set by Pozitive Telecom. 

You will be able to find all the relevant charges in our price list https://pozitivetelecom.com/tarrifs/ 

084* – these calls will be charged at no more than 7 pence per minute (inc. VAT) or 7 pence per call (inc. VAT) where the Service Charge is set exclusively at a pence per call rate, plus our Access Charge. 

09* – these calls will be charged at no more than £3.60 pence per minute (inc. VAT) or £6.00 per call (inc. VAT) where the Service Charge is set exclusively at a pence per call rate, plus our Access Charge.  

Text Messages & SMS short codes. Usually beginning with 2, 6, 7 or 8 and can be 4, 5, or 6 digits long. Sending texts to certain short codes from your landline can be considerable expensive. Call to the following should always be checked:  

• Mobile games; 

• Charity donations; 

• Chat services. 

*Calls to these numbers may be set at a pence per minute, a pence per call rate, or a rate which combines a pence per minute rate and a pence per call rate. The Access Charge will also be added to any of these variations. 

As the cost of calling non-geographic numbers can be extremely expensive you may decide to block the ability to dial them. If anyone then tries to dial these numbers the call will not succeed and the cost will therefore be avoided. It does mean you will be unable to access the types of services highlighted above. To activate contact blocking please call Customer Services by: 

• Email: telecomhelp@pozitive.energy 

Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA)  

The PSA investigates complaints about the promotion and operation of services that involve the use of a telephone-based connection to access a Premium Rate number. These include connections from landline telephone, Voice-over-IP telephones, fax, Internet, mobile phone (voice and SMS) and interactive TV. 

How to complain to the PSA 

If you don’t recognise the number there is a service checker available from the PSA which can be found  https://psauthority.org.uk/ 

• Web: Using the online form found at https://psauthority.org.uk/for-consumers/report-an-issue 

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• Post: Phone-paid Services Authority 
  c/o Ofcom 
  Riverside House 
  2a Southwark Bridge Road 
  London 
  SE1 9HA