Frequently Asked Question
UK Premium Rate Numbering
Last Updated 3 hours ago
The current UK premium rate number prefixes (excluding geographic, non-geographic standard billing rates, and mobile rates):
| Prefix | Service Type |
|---|---|
| 070x | Premium Rate 'Personal' Numbers. Varying charges, none of them business related. |
| 084x | Business rate services (e.g. 0843, 0844, 0845) — service charge up to 7p/min |
| 087x | Higher-rate services (e.g. 0870, 0871, 0872, 0873) |
| 09x | Premium rate entertainment/information services, including: |
| — 090x | General premium rate (up to £3.60/min) |
| — 091x | Premium rate |
| — 098x | Premium rate |
| 118xxx | Directory enquiry services |
Key points:
- 084 and 087 numbers have two-part pricing: an access charge (set by your provider) plus a service charge (set by the business).
- 09x numbers are the "true" premium rate range, often used for competitions, TV voting, adult chat lines, and information lines.
- 118 numbers are directory enquiry services with their own (often very high) per-minute rates.
- All premium rate services in the UK are regulated by the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA).
