Choosing the right business phone number affects how customers perceive you, how much they pay to call you, and whether you keep control of the number if you change provider. This guide explains the main UK business number types, how number porting works (and how long it actually takes), and how to make sure every call to that number is working hard for your business.
UK business phone number types
Ofcom regulates all UK phone numbers and sets the framework for what each number range can be used for and how much callers pay to use them.
| Range | Type | Cost to caller | Included in mobile bundles? | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 / 02 | Geographic (local) | Standard rate | Yes | Recommended |
| 03 | National non-geographic | Same as 01/02 | Yes | Recommended |
| 07 | Mobile | Standard rate | Yes (to mobile) | Common for sole traders |
| 0800 / 0808 | Freephone | Free from mobiles and landlines | Free | Large businesses |
| 0845 / 0844 | Non-geographic (revenue sharing) | Up to 7p/min above access charge | No | Avoid |
| 0870 / 0871 | Non-geographic (revenue sharing) | Up to 13p/min above access charge | No | Avoid |
| 09xx | Premium rate | Up to £3.60/min | No | Not for business |
Ofcom's key rule: 084 and 087 numbers cost callers more than a standard call and are not included in mobile inclusive minutes. Customers increasingly avoid them. For a UK small business, a local 01/02 or a national 03 number is almost always the better choice.
Should your business use a local or national number?
A local 01 or 02 number signals that you are based in a specific area and builds trust with local customers. This is particularly valuable for tradespeople, restaurants, salons and any business that serves a defined geographic area.
A national 03 number is useful if you serve customers across multiple regions or want the flexibility to move location without changing your number. 03 numbers cost callers the same as 01/02 and are included in mobile inclusive minutes, so they carry none of the negative associations of 084 numbers.
How long does it take to transfer a business phone number?
Number porting (transferring your existing number to a new provider) is governed by Ofcom rules. The timeline depends on the type of number and the providers involved.
Request your porting authorisation code. For a mobile number, ask your current provider for a PAC (Porting Authorisation Code). For a landline, request a STAC (Service Termination Authorisation Code). Providers must give you this code within 2 hours of your request (PAC) or 1 working day (STAC).
Provide the code to your new provider. Your new provider submits the port request to the losing provider using the code. The code is valid for 30 days.
The port completes. For most mobile numbers, porting completes within 1 working day of the code being submitted. For landline numbers, the standard timeline is 1 to 5 working days, though complex cases (numbers within a range, numbers associated with ISDN or older technology) can take 2 to 4 weeks.
During the porting window, Ofcom requires that your number remains active on the old provider. You should not cancel your old contract until the port has completed successfully.
The most common cause of delays is a mismatch between the account details you provide and the records the losing provider holds. Make sure your name, address and account number match exactly before submitting the port request.
Phone-based lead engagement: the missed call problem
Getting the right business number is step one. What matters more is what happens when a call to that number goes unanswered. For the majority of UK small businesses, missed calls represent the biggest single point of lead loss.
Research consistently shows that the speed of your first response is the biggest determinant of whether a lead converts. A caller who cannot reach you will move on within minutes. Calling back an hour later recovers very few of those leads. Calling back the same day is better, but most callers have already made a decision by then.
The most reliable solution is an automated SMS reply sent within seconds of a missed call. The caller gets an immediate acknowledgement. The message can include your availability, a prompt to reply with their enquiry, or a link to book a callback. The lead is engaged before they reach your competitor.
Turn every missed call into an engaged lead
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