When are 084 calls more expensive than geographic rate?
This page contains information about call charges prior to UK Calling taking place on 1st July 2015. Call charges for 084 numbers are now split into constituent parts: the Service Charge, as determined by organisation using the number, and; the Access Charge as set by each telephone call provider.
Whenever your telephone company connects a call to a 084, 087 or 09 number, it has to pay on an additional “termination rate” to the telephone company used by the person you are calling.
For 084 numbers the value of this “on payment” is between 1½p and 7p per minute. For the other ranges it is much greater.
In some way, this cost to your telephone company will be recovered from you.
Our document - 084 vs. geographic rate (01/02/03) numbers: Evidence of call charges (PDF) - covers the varying retail call charges in detail, identifying the exceptions for what they are and affirming the essential point:
Whenever your telephone company connects a call to a 084, 087 or 09 number, it has to pay on an additional “termination rate” to the telephone company used by the person you are calling.
For 084 numbers the value of this “on payment” is between 1½p and 7p per minute. For the other ranges it is much greater.
In some way, this cost to your telephone company will be recovered from you.
Our document - 084 vs. geographic rate (01/02/03) numbers: Evidence of call charges (PDF) - covers the varying retail call charges in detail, identifying the exceptions for what they are and affirming the essential point:
Calls to 084 numbers ARE more expensive than
calls to geographic rate (01/02/03) numbers.
What is the reason that 084 numbers cost more to ring?
Calls to geographic rate (01/02/03) numbers are generally covered by inclusive “Unlimited” packages or call bundles. Because of the “on payment”, calls to 0843, 0844, 0845, 0871, 0872 and 09 numbers are generally not included.
There are however some odd cases where calls to 0845 numbers (never 0844 and 0843), including the cost of the “on payment”, are covered by “Unlimited” packages. This means that all subscribers to the package are effectively contributing towards the “on-payment”.
There are also some even more perverse cases where the “penalty charge” imposed for a call to geographic number outside the terms of a call plan is greater than the marked-up cost of a call to a 084 number. This sometimes happens when you select a “Weekends only” or “Evenings and Weekends” call plan and then make weekday calls before 7:00 pm.
It is safe to say that for every caller on every occasion it is more expensive to call a 087 or 09 number than to call a geographic rate (01/02/03) number. These numbers are classified as being used for “Premium Rate Services” and users are consequently subject to special regulation. (The level of the “on payment” on 084 numbers is not considered adequate to secure a “Premium” service, although a premium charge is commonly paid.)
It is generally true to say that it is more expensive to call a 084 number than to call a geographic rate (01/02/03) number. The perverse exceptions to this rule are commonly highlighted by those who wish to suggest otherwise. Some even falsely seek to suggest that the exceptions are the norm.
There are however some odd cases where calls to 0845 numbers (never 0844 and 0843), including the cost of the “on payment”, are covered by “Unlimited” packages. This means that all subscribers to the package are effectively contributing towards the “on-payment”.
There are also some even more perverse cases where the “penalty charge” imposed for a call to geographic number outside the terms of a call plan is greater than the marked-up cost of a call to a 084 number. This sometimes happens when you select a “Weekends only” or “Evenings and Weekends” call plan and then make weekday calls before 7:00 pm.
It is safe to say that for every caller on every occasion it is more expensive to call a 087 or 09 number than to call a geographic rate (01/02/03) number. These numbers are classified as being used for “Premium Rate Services” and users are consequently subject to special regulation. (The level of the “on payment” on 084 numbers is not considered adequate to secure a “Premium” service, although a premium charge is commonly paid.)
It is generally true to say that it is more expensive to call a 084 number than to call a geographic rate (01/02/03) number. The perverse exceptions to this rule are commonly highlighted by those who wish to suggest otherwise. Some even falsely seek to suggest that the exceptions are the norm.
Amended: 2015-07-01