What exactly are non-geographic numbers and why do businesses use them? 

0845, 0870, 0871, 0800.

Look at the majority of high profile companies and you’ll see that’s how their telephone numbers begin. So what exactly are non-geographic numbers and why do businesses use them?  Matthew Lidbetter of QDOS Networks shines light on the matter…

A non-geographic telephone number is one that is not associated with any particular region of the UK. They provide multiple benefits for the business including cost, flexibility and scalability, and can mean a cost saving for the caller too.

The first benefit is the fixed rates involved with a non-geographic number. Anyone within the UK can call an 0845 number and will be charged at local call rate. An 0870 number is charged at national rate, 0871 incurs a 10p a minute charge and 0800 numbers are completely free. This is all regardless of where the business is based because a non-geographic number can be automatically directed to any UK landline.

Besides these fixed rates, many businesses are attracted to a non-geographic number because of the flexibility it gives them. Imagine the hassle of moving business premises and having to make sure all your clients (and you) know your new telephone number? With a non-geographic number your number will stay the same as long as there is a UK landline in your new office; an important factor for growing businesses as there won’t be a need to reprint business cards or company literature when you move to larger premises.

One factor of non-geographic numbers especially welcome in marketing departments is the ability to give our a different non-geographic number on each marketing campaign, that way you can directly monitor the number of interest or revenue your advert generates.

Companies in split-locations are great candidates for using a non-geographic number too, because whether the two locations are streets or cities apart they can use the same number for general enquiries. And when one location is busy, the call will be seamlessly directed to the other office.

A great benefit for larger businesses is the option to have an almost unlimited number of non-geographic numbers all redirected to one UK location.For a company like Ipswich-based Call Connection who have around 10,000 non-geographic numbers redirected to them, that is an invaluable asset.

Call Connection is a UK call handling company that uses the latest technology to answer, screen, filter and route telephone calls predominantly within the insurance market. QDOS have been supplying them voice and data solutions for over 10 years, and we recently provided a complete solution when they relocated to new premises.

Handling in excess of 10,000 calls a day, it was important to ensure the company move was seamless, with no disruption to their activities.We worked alongside architects, engineers and main building contractors to ensure the relocation of services was as straightforward as possible.Expanding and moving premises just wouldn’t be an option for a company like Call Connection without non-geographic numbers.