Access Charges

What is an access charge?

Calls to numbers starting 084, 087 and 09 are made of two parts. The service charge is the per-minute rate we advertise. The access charge is added by your own phone company and goes to them, not to us. Both appear on your normal phone bill.

This applies to our instant access numbers and to the free calls numbers (0845 and 0870). It does not apply to prepaid account calls, which you make by dialling our 0161 number.

How much is it?

According to Ofcom, access charges range from 8p to 67p a minute, depending on your phone company. Mobile networks are usually at the top of that range. Landline access charges are usually lower.

Some landline packages include calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers in their inclusive minutes. For example, BT's 700 Minutes and Unlimited Minutes plans include them, up to 150 calls a month. Most mobile plans do not.

What that means for a real call

Take a call to an Indian landline from a mobile whose access charge is 55p a minute:

• Instant access number: our 3p a minute plus 55p access charge = 58p a minute.
• Prepaid account: 2.5p a minute from your credit, plus a one-off 5p connection charge. The call to our 0161 number comes out of your inclusive minutes on most plans, so there is no access charge.

How to check your access charge

Look for "access charge" or "service numbers" in your phone company's price guide, on your bill, or in your account online. If you can't find it, ask them: "What is my access charge for 084 and 087 numbers?"

The simple way to avoid it

If you call abroad from a mobile, or call regularly, a prepaid account is almost always cheapest. You dial a normal 0161 number, there is no access charge, and your credit never expires.