 Premium Rate Numbers | NFON Knowledgebase UK     

[Contact](# "Contact")

![](/web-assets/f/290788/40x40/d98615a3ea/nfon-sales-contact.svg)

 Sales & General

* [Talk to Sales](tel:+443303838000)
* [Write to us](/gb/request-information)

 

Search

* [![Products](https://a.storyblok.com/f/290788/40x40/539cd331b9/nfon-products.svg) Products](#) 

  Call & Work  ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp)        
  + [Cloud Telephony](/gb/products/cloud-telephony/)
  + [SIP Trunk](/gb/products/enablement/)
  + [Devices](/gb/products/devices)

  Build & Automate  ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp)        
  + [Assistants](/gb/products/ai/assistants)
  + [Bots](/gb/products/ai/bots)
  + [AI Agent Studio](/gb/products/ai/agent-studio)

  Engage & Support  ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp)        
  + [Contact Center](/gb/products/customer-contact/)

  Integrations & Add ons       
  + [Integrations & Add ons](/gb/integrations/)
* [![Solutions](https://a.storyblok.com/f/290788/40x40/da156cbbb8/nfon-solutions-industries.svg) Solutions](#) 

  Industries       
  + [Health & Wellness](/gb/solutions/health-wellness)
  + [Retail & E-Commerce](/gb/solutions/retail)
  + [Finance & Legal](/gb/solutions/finance-insurance)
  + [Travel & Hospitality](/gb/solutions/hospitality)
  + [Public Sector](/gb/solutions/public-sector)
  + [Energy](/gb/solutions/energy)

  Success stories       
  + [Customer Stories](/gb/customer-stories/)
* [![Partnerships](https://a.storyblok.com/f/290788/36x36/7bd105c67d/nfon-partner.svg) Partnerships](#) 

  Partner with NFON       
  + [Partner](/gb/partner/become-partner)
  + [NGAGE](/gb/partner/partner-programme)

  Partner Portal       
  + [Partner Portal](https://partners.nfon.com/)
* [![Help Center](https://a.storyblok.com/f/290788/40x40/d01fbb4f30/help-nfon.svg) Help Center](/gb/help-centre)
* [Login](https://start.cloudya.com/ "Login")
* United Kingdom  


  + [International](/en)
  + [Deutschland](/de)
  + [España](/es)
  + [France](/fr)
  + [Italia](/it)
  + [Österreich](/at)
  + [Polska](/pl)
  + [Portugal](/pt)
  + [United Kingdom](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/premium-rate-numbers)

[![NFON Logo](/assets/logo-nfon.svg)](/gb/ "NFON Home")

* [Products](#)  

  ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/a9f3ceed6f/nfon-call-work.svg)

    Call & Work  ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp)    Seamless communication   

  ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/d03c61cf40/nfon-build-automate.svg)

    Build & Automate  ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp)    AI Automation   

  ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/106823b73b/nfon-engage-support.svg)

    Engage & Support  ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp)    Omnichannel support   

  ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/50b60f5411/nfon-integrations-add-ons.svg)

    Integrations & Add ons   Connect Teams & CRMs

  + [![](/images/products-call-work-cloudteleophny-navbar-int_Fjf8b.webp)

    ### Cloud Telephony

     ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp)

    Seamless cloud telephony for every device. High-fidelity audio with European-grade security.](/gb/products/cloud-telephony/)
  + [![](/images/products-call-work-siptrunk-navbar-int_ZH5NzW.webp)

    ### SIP Trunk

    Secure cloud connectivity for your existing hardware. Scales instantly with your business.](/gb/products/enablement/)
  + [![](/images/products-call-work-devices-navbar-int_Z2dP6.webp)

    ### Devices

    Professional telephones and hardware designed for clear calls and all-day comfort.](/gb/products/devices)

  + [![](/images/products-build-automate-assistants-navbar-int_2ghUIJ.webp)

    ### Assistants

     ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp)

    Pre-configured, plug-and-play digital roles like FrontDesk and Workdesk. Ready to deploy instantly with zero coding required.](/gb/products/ai/assistants)
  + [![](/images/products-build-automate-bots-navbar-int_Z1p57Vm.webp)

    ### Bots

     ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp)

    Prompt-driven, multi-channel conversational experiences. Automate custom customer journeys across Web Chat, Voice, and Livechat.](/gb/products/ai/bots)
  + [![A chatbot creation interface is shown with a readiness message, build report, agent prompt details, and created tools list, over a gradient background.](/images/products-build-agent-studio-navbar-int_Z1Y88dE.webp)

    ### AI Agent Studio

     ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp)

    Simply turn your ideas into AI agents for your business. Describe the task, create a working agent, then optimize it in one workspace.](/gb/products/ai/agent-studio)

  + [![](/images/products-engage-support-navbar-int_1xyFBE.webp)

    ### Contact Center

     ![AI icon](/assets/ai_icon.webp)

    Omnichannel customer service for modern teams. Manage conversations, automation, AI assistance, and customer context.](/gb/products/customer-contact/)

  + [![](/images/products-integrations-addons-navbar-int_Z1Ka5ea.webp)

    ### Integrations & Add ons

    Expand your capabilities and natively connect your everyday business to keep all workflows unified.](/gb/integrations/)
* [Solutions](#)  

  ![](/web-assets/f/290788/40x40/da156cbbb8/nfon-solutions-industries.svg)

    Industries   Tailored solutions   

  ![](/web-assets/f/290788/40x40/155f2a989d/nfon-success.svg)

    Success stories   54,000+ trust us

  + [![](/images/solutions-health-wellness-navbar-int_Z15q3kJ.webp)

    ### Health & Wellness

    Secure communication for better patient experiences and care delivery.](/gb/solutions/health-wellness)
  + [![](/images/solutions-retail-ecommerce-navbar-int_zUgjw.webp)

    ### Retail & E-Commerce

    Connected communication for modern retail and customer engagement.](/gb/solutions/retail)
  + [![](/images/solutions-finance-legal-navbar-int_1Dy5Ax.webp)

    ### Finance & Legal

    Trusted communication for regulated and security-conscious organizations.](/gb/solutions/finance-insurance)
  + [![](/images/solutions-hospitality-travel-navbar-int_17WoBe.webp)

    ### Travel & Hospitality

    Seamless communication for exceptional guest experiences and service.](/gb/solutions/hospitality)
  + [![](/images/solutions-publicsector-navbar-int_YyABB.webp)

    ### Public Sector

    Reliable communication for responsive public services and citizen support.](/gb/solutions/public-sector)
  + [![](/images/solutions-energy-navbar_FDoix.webp)

    ### Energy

    Reliable communication for responsive customer service, even during outages and peak demand.](/gb/solutions/energy)

  + [![](/images/solutions-costumerstroy-navbar-int_Z1MdOsM.webp)

    ### Customer Stories

    Real-world impact across every industry. Explore how we solve complex communication challenges for Europe’s leading brands.](/gb/customer-stories/)
* [Partnerships](#)  

  ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/7bd105c67d/nfon-partner.svg)

    Partner with NFON   Join the NFON network   

  ![](/web-assets/f/290788/36x36/8c5c9a9c78/nfon-partner-portal.svg)

    Partner Portal   Existing partner login

  + [![](/images/partnerships-partner-navbar-int_ZHYGKx.webp)

    ### Partner

    From onboarding to co-branded marketing, we provide the tools you need to win.](/gb/partner/become-partner)
  + [![](/images/partnerships-ngage-navbar-int_Zs3yY9.webp)

    ### NGAGE

    Discover our tiered rewards system designed to help you scale your business and revenue.](/gb/partner/partner-programme)

  + [![](/images/partnerships-partnerportal-navbar-int_2ki451.webp)

    ### Partner Portal

    Access partner tools, deal registration, training resources, and program benefits in one place.](https://partners.nfon.com/)
* [Help Center](/gb/help-centre)

 

* Search
* [Login](https://start.cloudya.com/ "Login")
* gb 
  + [International](/en)
  + [Deutschland](/de)
  + [España](/es)
  + [France](/fr)
  + [Italia](/it)
  + [Österreich](/at)
  + [Polska](/pl)
  + [Portugal](/pt)
  + [United Kingdom](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/premium-rate-numbers)
* [Contact](#)

   [Contact](# "Contact") 

  + ![](/web-assets/f/290788/40x40/d98615a3ea/nfon-sales-contact.svg)

      Sales & General   Get in touch with us.

  ![](/images/getstarted-talktosales-navbar-int_ZMspQ4.webp)

  ### Talk to Sales

  Get a free consultation to see how NFON products can meet your needs.

  [+44 330 383 8000](tel:+443303838000 "+44 330 383 8000")

  ![](/images/getstarted-writetous-navbar-int_ZY7MOf.webp)

  ### Write to us

  Fill out our request form. Our experts will respond as soon as possible.

  [Write to us](/gb/request-information "Write to us")

### Premium rate numbers

[The problem with the various cost models](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/premium-rate-numbers#section-3)

[The problem with availability and quality of the service](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/premium-rate-numbers#section-4)

# Premium rate numbers

A premium rate number is used by companies, government agencies or other institutions to establish telephone contact with customers or anybody looking for information. Services numbers are used to offer services to example obtain information about products or services, place orders, report malfunctions or to report a complaint. The service is typically staffed with hotline employees. [Smart telephone systems](/gb/gb/products/cloudya) answer calls to the premium rate number, where applicable further define the reason for the call and then route the call to an assigned worker available to take the call. Depending on the type of service the premium rate number can be available 24 hours a day or only during certain hours.

### The problem with the various cost models

Companies and institutions use different cost models when offering a premium rate number. Many numbers, thus the service, are free of charge to the caller. In Germany, toll-free premium rate numbers are typically identified by the area code 0800. Since many flat rate services include free domestic calls, toll-free premium rate numbers can also be implemented through regular local numbers for a majority of the callers.  
Shared Cost services with split charges are common. These services allow the cost of the telecommunication service to be split between the provider and the caller. Depending on the type, the charges can be billed by call duration or as a flat per-call charge.  
There are also premium rate numbers where the caller pays the telephone company for the service offered. They then pass part of the fee on to the company offering the service. One example for paid information services is the 0900 area code.

### The problem with availability and quality of the service

Customers can possibly incur additional charges if companies do not have their own affiliates and do not have local customer service to contact. After all, if there is a fee for the telephone service, even simple and typically free inquiries will involve a charge. And long hold times can also result in frustration. Since companies often outsource hotline services, the quality of the service provided is sometimes questionable.

[Back](#)

 

![NFON Logo](/assets/logo-nfon.svg)

News

* [Events](https://www.nfon.com/gb/news/events/)
* [Press](https://www.nfon.com/gb/news/press/)

Customers

* [Cloudya Login](https://start.cloudya.com/auth/login)
* [Admin Portal](https://admin.nfon.com/)
* [NFON Status](https://status.nfon.com/)

About NFON

* [Corporate](https://corporate.nfon.com/en/)
* [Investor Relations](https://corporate.nfon.com/en/investor-relations/ir-at-a-glance/)
* [Sustainability & ESG](https://corporate.nfon.com/en/sustainability/)
* [Career](https://corporate.nfon.com/en/careers/)

Legal

* [GTC-SLA](/gb/legal/gtc-sla)
* [Legal Notice](/gb/legal/legal-notice)
* [Trust Centre](https://www.nfon.com/en/trust-center/)
* [Data Protection](/gb/legal/data-protection)
* [Cookie Settings](javascript:onclick=UC_UI.showSecondLayer())

© 2026 - NFON | All rights reserved.

                      