0808 Freephone Numbers

Why an 0808 number helps your business

An 0808 number gives your callers exactly the same benefit as an 0800 number: the call is free. Since July 2015, calls to 0808 numbers have been free from UK landlines and mobiles, so customers can ring you about a sale, a booking or a problem without worrying about their phone bill. Like 0800, it is non-geographic, so it gives your business a national presence.

The difference is choice. 0808 is the newer freephone range, so there is often a wider selection of memorable numbers available than on 0800. If you want a freephone number that is easy to say in a radio advert, easy to read on the side of a van or easy to remember after a phone call, 0808 is a good place to look.

About 0808 numbers

0808 numbers are non-geographic freephone numbers, written 0808 xxx xxxx. They work exactly like 0800 numbers: since July 2015, calls to them have been free from UK landlines and mobiles, and the business receiving the calls pays for them. For your callers there is no difference in cost between dialling 0800 and dialling 0808.

As with other freephone numbers, 0808 numbers usually cannot be called from outside the UK. If you have overseas customers, you can publish a geographic number, such as a London 020 number, alongside your 0808 number.

Who uses 0808 numbers

Businesses that want a memorable freephone number

Firms launching a national service, or refreshing their branding, often turn to 0808 to find a freephone number with a repeating or easy pattern that is harder to find on 0800.

Campaign and tracking lines

Because there is plenty of choice, 0808 suits businesses that want several freephone numbers, one for each advert, website or mailing. Call statistics then show which campaign brings in the calls.

Support and advice lines

Customer service teams, charities and advice services use 0808 numbers so people can get help free of charge, whether they are calling from a landline or a mobile.

How your 0808 number works

Your 0808 number diverts calls to any UK landline, any UK mobile or Alphatalk's cloud phone system. You can change the destination at any time in myAlphaTalk, our customer portal, for example to move calls from the office to a mobile when you are away. Time-of-day routing handles opening hours for you, voicemail messages can be emailed to you, and call statistics show how many calls each number receives. Every number costs £4.99 a month and includes 1,000 free UK minutes, so inbound calls are covered up to that allowance. For high-volume lines, our UK team can talk you through the options.