• Although normal houslod phone numbers have been 10/11 digits for a long time, some callers could miss out the area dialing code when making a local call fron a landline
• The use of short local numbers is being phased out as part of a digital swicthover affecting all of the UK
• Many normal telephones will not make or recieve calls unless the entire telephone number was dialled
• In order to avoid current/future problems, always dial the full 10/11 digit telephone number
• This change only affects "local landline" calls. All normal UK telephones already require the full telephone number to be used when connecting to mobile phones or landlines outside the area.

• Most UK telephone numbers are exactly 11 digits long when dialled from the UK. (10 digit numbers are possible but they are unusual.) All normal numbers start with the digit 0.
• There are a few 3 digit numbers but these have very special purposes e.g. 999 for all our emegency services (The European 112 number will also work in the UK.)
• Scam Calls and other Telephone/SMS/email Frauds are routine occurences in many countries.
  • It is very easy for "scammers" to acquire lists of names and phone numbers, They can also display "fraudulent", "misleading" or "withheld" numbers on your incoming-caller display.
  • If you recieve an unexpected call from a person you do not know, assume it is a scam until until you are certain they are genuine.
  • If an unexpected caller mentions banks, finance, computer security, account issues, payments, passwords, protecting your assets, grants, insulation, accidents, fraud, winnings, tax, utilities, fixed penalties, fines, etc. assume it is a scam
  • If an unexpected phone call plays a pre-recorded message, assume it is a scam.
  • If you get multiple similar unexpected calls, assume they are all a scam.

---

• Most "normal" household or business numbers start with either 01 or 02 (see comments under 03)
• Numbers starting 03 are usually commercial "call centre" or "business numbers." UK telephone companies will probably charge the same price as a normal 01 or 02 number but this may not apply to non-uk phones
  • You will occassionally encounter temporary 03 numbers issued to private residences. Short term use of 03 numbers can occur when installing "full-fibre/VOIP" services and retaining an old "copper-wire" phone number.
• You are unlikely to encounter any numbers starting 04 or 06 at the current time.
• Numbers starting 05 may use some sort of "internet" connection. These are unusual, it may be prudent to double check who you are calling when you see an 05 number.
• Be very careful if you are dialling a number starting 070 or 076. These look like our mobile phone numbers but can be very expensive. Even British Citizens can get caught out by these numbers - I advise against dialling any number starting 070 or 076.
• Numbers starting 071, 072, 073, 074, 075, 077, 078 or 079 are normally used by mobile telephones
• Numbers starting 08 are typically used by larger businesses and call centres. The prices vary from free (from a UK landline) to an expensive call. Be careful calling 08 numbers from mobiles because some mobile providers make surcharges for these numbers.
• Numbers starting 0800 or 0870 may be free if you use a landline phone connected via certain operators, however, non-UK and mobile phone companies usually charge.
• All numbers starting 09 are premium rate services (i.e expensive.) They can combine an instant connection charge with additional "per minute" fees. Non UK and mobile phone companies are likely to add their own charges when connecting to these numbers.
• Numbers starting 00 are for international calls. If you see a number starting 0044, that is the UK dialling code for the UK when dialled from some other countries - to get the normal number replace the 0044 with the single digit 0.
• Watch out for special 5 digit telephone numbers often starting with either 5, 6 or 8. These are often "messaging services." They can be used legitimately for certain specialist services but they can also cause expensive and ongoing costs.
• The UK has many Directory Enquiry services but they all charge your phone bill for their services. These numbers normally start 118 and have six digits.
• Summary 01..., 02..., 03..., are usually fine, 0800..., 0870... may be free from a UK landline (mobile phones may be charged,) 071..., 072..., 073..., 074..., 075..., 077..., 078..., 079... are usually mobile phones (prices vary according to your telephone opertor,) 00... is used for international calls and it could be an expensive mistake to dial any other number.

---

• The international dialling code, used to dial the UK from abroad is +44. (You have to replace the + with the "international" prefix used by your country)
  • the international prefix 00 is used by some European countries and +44 should be dialled 0044
  • the international prefix 011 is used by some American countries and +44 should be dialled 01144
• The first 0 in a normal (11 digit) UK telephone number must not be dialled when calling from abroad
  Here are some examples of how to dial the internal UK number 01234567890 from abroad
  • If your dialling prefix is 00 then dial 00, followed by 44, forget the first zero and continue with 1234567890 i.e. 00441234567890
  • If your dialling prefix is 011 then dial 011, followed by 44, forget the first zero and continue with 1234567890 i.e. 011441234567890

• To dial another country from the UK, you will need to dial 00 followed by your countries international dialling code
• This may be followed by the normal number used when dialled from your country or there may be a special rule used by your telephone exchanges
• A quick look on the internet should reveal your countries dialling codes and any special rules used by your exchanges

---

Most of the World's mobile telephones fall into one of the following categories ... 2G, 3G, 4G (LTE) or 5G.

• At the moment, 5G services are only available in a very limited number of UK towns/cities. (5G coverage is expected to improve in the future.)
• In order to use 5G, both the mobile phone and it's SIM card must be compatible with 5G
• Most 5G phones will also work on 4G, 3G and 2G networks (with 4G,3G,2G limitations) and 4G is available across most of the UK.

• 4G services are available across most of the UK
• In order to use 4G, both the mobile phone and it's SIM card must be compatible with 4G
• Most 4G phones will also work on 3G and 2G networks (with 3G,2G limitations)

• The UK is in the process of shutting down it's 3G mobile phone network.
• Most of the normal 3G services in the the UK have been switched off. The remaining 3G provision will close later this year (2025).
• Most 3G phones will also work on 2G networks (with 2G limitations)

• The UK will retain most of it's 2G mobile phone network for several more years. (This will allow extra time for obsolete phones/equipment to be updated.)
• The 2G service is very limited. Phone calls and SMS should work
• 2G is not suitable for modern data services (internet, email, etc.) It may be possible to get "some data" but most users will only achieve SMS-texts and phone calls.

• Your ability to connect to UK networks could also be affected by other issues e.g. restrictions form your phone service provider, phones "locked" to specific networks, signal strength, geographic location, etc.

DigitalDan.co.uk