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What Are Non-Geographic Numbers? A Complete Guide

"When a London-based e-commerce client switched to an 0800 number, their abandoned call rate dropped by 35% in weeks." This is the power of non-geographic numbers (NGNs)—phone numbers untethered to physical locations. As someone who’s implemented NGNs for industries ranging from healthcare to SaaS, I’ll show you:

  • How NGNs work (with a behind-the-scenes routing diagram)
  • Cost comparisons (VoIP vs. traditional lines, using OFCOM’s 2024 data)
  • Regulatory must-knows (OFCOM/FCC compliance pitfalls to avoid)

What Exactly Is a Non-Geographic Number?

An NGN is a virtual phone number that routes calls via the cloud. Unlike geographic numbers (e.g., 020 for London), NGNs:

✔ Aren’t tied to an address → Accept calls anywhere
✔ Project professionalism → Toll-free (0800) numbers signal credibility
✔ Enable analytics → Track call sources, durations, and outcomes


A Brighton-based accounting firm used an 0844 number to appear national. Result? 28% more inbound leads from northern England.

Learn more about NGN's

NGN Types Compared (With Pricing Examples)

TypeExample PrefixWho Pays?Avg. Setup CostBest For
Toll-Free0800, 1800Business£10-£50/monthCustomer service
Premium-Rate0900, 118Caller£50+ setupTV voting, helplines
Virtual0560, 0330Hybrid£5-£20/monthRemote teams

Pro Tip: OFCOM’s 2024 rules cap 0800 call charges at 7p/min for businesses—factor this into budgets.

How NGNs Work: A Technical Breakdown

  1. Call Initiation: Customer dials your NGN (e.g., 0800 123 456).
  2. Cloud Routing: Call hops to your VoIP system or mobile.
  3. Advanced Features:
    • Time-based routing → After-hours calls to a call centre in Manila
    • CRM integration → Logs caller data automatically
    • Fraud blocks → Rejects premium-rate fraud attempts

6 Proven Benefits (With Data)

  1. Cost Savings
    • VoIP NGNs cut call costs by 42% vs. landlines (OFCOM, 2024).
  2. Trust Boost
    • 67% of UK consumers prefer toll-free for support (YouGov, 2023).
  3. Remote Work Ready
    • Redirect calls to home offices or hybrid teams.
  4. Marketing ROI
    • Track which Google Ads drive calls (e.g., “Dial 0800-ABC-123”).
  5. 24/7 Availability
    • IVR menus handle calls outside business hours.
  6. Global Presence
    • Get a “local” number in Germany (+49) or Australia (+61).

How to Set Up an non-geographic numbers in 3 Steps

Step 1: Choose a Compliant Provider

  • Verify OFCOM/FCC registration.
  • Check for hidden fees (e.g., "per-call" charges).

Step 2: Pick Your Number Type

  • Toll-free → Best for customer trust
  • Virtual → Most flexible for startups

Step 3: Configure Call Flow

  • Set business hours, IVR greetings, and failover numbers.

Warning: Avoid providers that don’t offer call encryption—we’ve seen scams exploit insecure NGNs.

Are non-geographic numbers Right for You?

Ideal for:

  • Businesses targeting national/international customers.
  • Startups needing flexible phone systems.
  • Call centres requiring analytics.

Not ideal for:

  • Hyper-local shops (e.g., a Bristol bakery)

FAQs (From Our Client Inbox)

Q: Can I port my existing number to an NGN?
A: Yes—OFCOM mandates number portability. We recently moved a client’s 020 number to a cloud NGN in 48 hours.

Q: Are NGNs reliable?
A: With VoIP, uptime exceeds 99.9%. We recommend providers like [Trusted Provider] for redundancy.

Q: How long does setup take?
A: Most numbers activate in under 24 hours (vs. weeks for traditional lines).

Conclusion: Next Steps

NGNs are no longer just for enterprises. Last quarter, we helped a 3-person consultancy:

  • Cut telecom costs by £1,200/year.
  • Land a multinational client using a German virtual number.
Ready to explore NGNs?
What is a non-geographic number in the UK?

A non-geographic number (NGN) is a UK phone number (e.g., 0800, 0844, 0330) not tied to a physical location. Calls are routed via VoIP to any device. OFCOM regulates these numbers to ensure fair pricing and transparency.

Are 0800 numbers free from mobiles?

Yes, OFCOM mandates that 0800 calls are free from all UK mobiles and landlines as of 2024. Businesses pay for inbound calls, making them ideal for customer service.

Can I keep my current number when switching to an NGN?

Yes! OFCOM’s "number portability" rules let you transfer existing geographic numbers (e.g., 020) to NGN providers. Transfer times range from 24 hours to 2 weeks.

What’s the difference between 0800 and 0845 numbers?

0800: Free for callers, business pays. Best for customer trust.
0845: Shared cost (caller pays 7p/min + service charge). Often used for helplines.

Are non-geographic numbers secure for businesses?

Reputable providers (e.g., Gamma, Vonage) offer encryption, fraud monitoring, and OFCOM compliance. Avoid "grey route" carriers to prevent scams.

Can I use a non-geographic number for international calls?

Absolutely! Virtual NGNs (e.g., +44 330) accept global calls. Some providers offer local numbers in 100+ countries (e.g., +1 for the US).

How do I track calls from a non-geographic number?

Advanced NGNs include call analytics dashboards, showing:
- Call sources (Google Ads, social media).
- Peak call times.
- Call duration/outcomes.

What’s the best non-geographic number for a small business?

For SMEs, we recommend:
- 0800: If you want customers to call free.
- 0330: Low-cost, professional alternative to geographic numbers.

 

28 January 2025

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