There are a lot of different telephone numbers in the UK, many of which use the 0345 prefix. If you are wondering if 0345 numbers are free, the short answer is no: they are not completely free, but for most UK consumers and business customers they usually cost the same rate as calling a standard geographic 01 or 02 number and are often included in call allowances, so there is often no extra charge.
0345 numbers sit within the 03 range of non-geographic numbers, which means they are not tied to a specific location in the way geographic numbers are. Businesses, organisations, and government departments use them as a national contact number, and calls to 0345 are charged at the same rate as standard geographic numbers or standard landline calls. In practice, that often means the call is covered by bundled minutes, inclusive minutes, or free call packages depending on your phone plan, but charges can apply if you call from a mobile or landline outside your allowance or from abroad.
What are 0345 Numbers?
Generally, 0345 numbers are used by government departments, government agencies, government bodies, public services, charities, large companies and businesses that provide a nationwide service, giving citizens a simple contact phone number for public enquiries and government services. These numbers are non geographic and are especially beneficial for businesses that have multiple offices, as a 0345 can be used for all of the offices, even if they are located at opposite ends of the country and the locations have different area codes. This helps create a professional image and a UK wide identity.
The number gives organisations a national point of contact and a national presence across the UK, unlike traditional landline numbers tied to one area code. 0345 numbers were introduced in 2007 for cost transparency and to replace older, more expensive traditional landline numbers such as 0845.
Why Do Companies Use 0345 Numbers?
There are a number of benefits that come with using a 0345 number as a business, which is why they are hugely popular and widely used by organisations large and small. One of the main reasons for companies using 0345 numbers is that they are a cost effective way for callers to contact a business nationwide, with the low cost passed onto customers and clients, making contacting the business a straightforward process.
Calling a 0345 number doesn’t cost any more than calling a ‘01′ or ‘02′ number, with call charges charged at the local rate and at the same rate as traditional geographic calls, and many mobile phone companies include 0345 in customers’ monthly contract allowance. For a lot of people, calling 0345 numbers doesn’t cost any extra, and it’s simply taken away from the number of ‘minutes’ left. In the same way, a lot of landline plans also include calls to 0345 numbers at certain times, such as weekends and evenings.
0345 numbers also allow companies and organisations to better manage their customer service, especially if they have multiple offices or locations. Instead of each location having an individual number and area code, a centralised 0345 number can be used, with all calls going to one centralised team through call routing to the right department, which also suits wider business needs. This makes customer service easier for a company to manage, whilst helping customers and clients to access help efficiently and effectively. It also reduces the chances of location bias, which is when customers and clients are deterred from a company based on its location.
How Much Does Calling an 0345 Cost?
A lot of people find themselves asking, “are 0345 numbers free?” and “how much does it cost” to call them, and the plain answer is that these numbers are usually charged at the same rate as a standard UK number. The key thing to know is that 0345 numbers are not “free to call” by default, but there is usually no extra cost when they are included in call packages or inclusive allowances under your plan. Call costs will vary depending on whether you call from a landline or mobile and on your specific plan details.
Cost of Calling from a Mobile?
There will come a time when you need to call a 0345 number, and knowing the cost before doing so can provide peace of mind. For most mobile users, call costs depend on whether you pay monthly or use pay as you go, but these calls are usually covered by bundled minutes or inclusive minutes. Once you have exceeded your allowance, you may need to pay a ‘per minute’ rate depending on your network provider. Charges typically can range from 15p to 65p per minute once inclusive allowances are used up, depending on the provider and your specific plan. We have broken down the costs below.
Network Provider
Cost per minute within contracted allowance
Cost per minute out-of-bundle / PAYG rate
ASDA Mobile
Free of charge
15p per minute
BT/EE
Free of charge
30p to 93p per minute
GiffGaff
Free of charge
25p per minute
Lebara Mobile
Free of charge
25p per minute
LycaMobile
Free of charge
23p to 25p per minute
O2
Free of charge
65p per minute
Tesco Mobile
Free of charge
25p per minute
Three Mobile
Free of charge
65p per minute
Virgin Mobile
Free of charge
17p to 58p per minute
Vodafone
Free of charge
45p to 65p per minute
Cost of Calling from a Landline?
Before you call a 0345 number from a landline, it’s important to know how much it’s going to cost you. Unlike 0800 and 0808 numbers, which are also commonly used by companies, 0345 calls from landlines are often included in call packages at certain times of day, but otherwise you pay the standard rate set by your plan. For example, your landline service provider might include calls to 0345 in the evening and at weekends, but charge at other times. This is why you need to know how much a call is going to cost you beforehand, to ensure that you avoid any unwanted charges.
A lot of the time, calling a 0345 during ‘off peak’ times will be included in the cost of your landline service. But, during ‘peak’ times, you will be charged per minute, so check the call costs in your provider’s plan details. From a landline, 0345 calls typically cost around 12p per minute and can range up to about 31p per minute depending on provider and plan details. Here are four of the UK’s largest telecom companies and how much they charge per minute for calls to 0345 numbers.
Telecom Company
Approximate peak cost
BT
16p to 31p per minute (+ 21p set up charge)
TalkTalk
12.5p per minute
Sky Mobile
9.5p to 16p per minute (+25p per call)
Virgin Media
12p to 17p per minute (+24 p per call)
What is the Cost of Calling 0345 Numbers from Abroad?
Though you are able to call 0345 numbers from abroad, it’s likely that you will be charged more than if you were to make the call from the UK. The cost will depend on how much your phone provider charges for international calls. Whether you are using a UK mobile phone in a foreign country, or you are calling from a foreign landline abroad, you need to consider the fees for making a foreign call put in place by your network provider.
If you do decide to call from abroad, remember to add +44 to the 0345 number, as this is the national phone code for the UK. Without +44, you won’t be able to call a UK number from another country.
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There are a lot of different telephone numbers in the UK, many of which use the 0345 prefix. If you are wondering if 0345 numbers are free, the short answer is no: they are not completely free, but for most UK consumers and business customers they usually cost the same rate as calling a standard geographic 01 or 02 number and are often included in call allowances, so there is often no extra charge.
0345 numbers sit within the 03 range of non-geographic numbers, which means they are not tied to a specific location in the way geographic numbers are. Businesses, organisations, and government departments use them as a national contact number, and calls to 0345 are charged at the same rate as standard geographic numbers or standard landline calls. In practice, that often means the call is covered by bundled minutes, inclusive minutes, or free call packages depending on your phone plan, but charges can apply if you call from a mobile or landline outside your allowance or from abroad.
