A while ago BT 'invented' two special numbers as part of the 'non-geographical' numbers set.

0845 numbers provided 'local rate' calls to anywhere in the UK and were intended for businesses who wanted to provide this 'cheap' service to their customers.

0870 numbers were designed to provide an 'easy access' 'national rate' call.

But then things changed - BT did away with 'local' and national' rates charging a rate in between the two for all calls (they put the local call price up and said that "national calls are now charged at the same rate as local calls")

0845 calls are now 'LoCall rate' and are all charged at between 4p and 5p per minute depending who you buy your telephone calls from. They are more expensive in general than 'geographical' (e.g. 01606) numbers which are charged at between 2p and 3p per minute.

0870 calls are now charged at a premium 'National' rate. Businesses with an 0870 number receive a commission of 1p or more a minute whenever you call them (higher for 0871 numbers). So whenever you use an 0870 number you are actually paying money to the business you call on top of the call fee of between 7p and 9p per minute. Again, whatever supplier you use 0870 numbers are charged at the higher rate (and in some cases more than that!).

Try and avoid these 'non-geographical' numbers, you can often find out the 'real' number from a company's letterhead or website where they give a number "if you are dialling from overseas". You can also go to www.saynoto0870.com which lists the geographic numbers for most well known companies.

Use companies who give you a Freephone 0800 number rather than an 0870 to dial. 0800 (and 0808) numbers are always free of charge to the person calling it and we think it is a much more honest way of doing business than to ask people to call an 0870 number and make a profit from incoming calls, especially when they are trying to sell you something!