Are 0845 numbers free? - Answers

Numbers beginning 084x and 087x are "special services," and usually chargeable. 0845 and 0870 numbers work on a slightly different revenue system to other 084 and 087 numbers. Ofcom stopped revenue sharing on 0870 numbers in 2009. BT expected the same to happen to 0845 numbers so went ahead and allowed both 0870 and 0845 to be used within inclusive minutes. Ofcom stepped back from cancelling revenue share for 0845 numbers, so BT subsidises the approx 2p/min revenue share on calls to 0845 numbers. The price for 0845 numbers from landlines was tied to "local rate" before 2005. Since 2005, calls to 01 and 02 numbers are no longer charged by distance. There is a single "geographic rate". Additionally, most callers call 01 and 02 numbers for up to one hour within inclusive minutes. "Local rate" no longer exists. It is illegal to describe 084 numbers as "local rate". 0845 numbers cost up to 40p/min from mobiles. From landlines they cost up to 10p/min or many be usable within inclusive calls at certain times, depending on call package. Businesses should be moving to 0345 numbers to ensure their customers pay no more than they would for calling 01 and 02 numbers. The Consumer Rights Directive will force this move in 2014.