Telephone Service Providers: Key terms

A Direct Telephone Service Provider is one that rents the connection to you and allows you to make direct calls via the the network from which the connection is rented. It is usually direct wired but sometimes wireless (BT, cable TV). All such providers have 'CARRIER STATUS'.

With an Indirect Telephone Service Provider the connection is only available through a direct service provider. You can either dial a code (a Predial code) or connect via a Smart Box or Smart phone.

This then routes the call indirectly via the Indirect carrier rather than the Direct carrier. All such providers have 'CARRIER STATUS'. Please note that you cannot register under the BT Light User Scheme and then use another Service Provider through your BT line. Further details are available at Oftel - the Telecommunications regulator.

This applies to Telephone Service Providers that do NOT have 'CARRIER STATUS'. These companies 'RESELL' Airtime from a Direct or Indirect provider that has 'CARRIER STATUS'. As a result, such companies have the least control of the quality of the connections/service that they provide as they are entirely dependent on the the provider that they buy their Airtime from. This means that if there is a problem with the service you have to contact the Reseller, who then needs to resolve the issue with the company that actually provides the Airtime.

A Smart Box is an electronic device that SIMPLY connects between your existing Direct Service Provider's telephone socket and your telephone. It will automatically redirect your phone calls via the Indirect Service Provider when you dial the telephone number as normal.

Advantages: You do not need to use any predial code or dial the area code for local calls. Disadvantages: It only works on the phone lines that are connected to the Box/Adapter (so may not work on all extensions in the house). Also, if your Direct Service Provider offers inclusive calls (BT standard tariff offers FREE calls equivalent to £1.80/month) you will not be able to take advantage of these unless you have an extension that is not connected to the Box/Adapter or you unplug it prior to making the call

A Smart Phone performs an identical role to the Smart Box and will automatically redirect your phone calls via the Indirect Service Provider when you dial the telephone number as normal. It has the SAME advantages & disadvantages as the Smart Box/Adapter.

This is usually either a 3 to 4-digit code or an 0800 number that must be dialled before the FULL telephone number including area code (even for local calls).

3. Definitions of the various UK Destinations:

These are defined in accordance with BT's definitions. Local destinations are calls within your own or to neighbouring charge areas. Regional destinations are calls outside your local area but within 56.4 km (36 miles) of your own charge area. All calls over 56.4 km (36 miles) are charged at the National rate, except for Premium and non-geographical numbers. Please refer to the BT phone book for your area for precise details.

Non-geographic numbers are calls to numbers starting with 07, 08 or 09 (such as 07000, 0845, 0870) They are also called 'Number Translation Service' as phone calls to such numbers are effectively translated for delivery to 'hidden' geographic numbers. Most operators have differing prices for geographic and NTS calls, the latter often being more expensive due to payments being made to the NTS operator (which may be passed onto back to the whoever rents the number). Some 'Indirect Service Providers' do not allow you to use these numbers with their service and others charge higher rates. See definitions of the sub categories, 'Lo-Call' and 'National Rate' calls below.

These are a sub category of the above 'Non-Geographical Numbers' or 'NTS' group and apply to 0845 (previously 0345) numbers. Many Internet Service providers (ISPs) use these numbers. BT charges these calls at LOCAL rates & therefore have called them 'Lo-Call calls'.

These are a sub category of the above 'Non-Geographical Numbers' or 'NTS' group and apply to 0870 numbers. BT charges these calls at NATIONAL rates & hence have called them 'National Rate calls'.

Telephone calls to mobile phones are based on calls from UK residential telephones to mobile destinations within the UK and exclude mobile phones being used abroad. Your mobile phone service provider may charge for access to freephone numbers. Telephone call rates from UK based mobile phones are detailed in the Mobile Phone section. All calls made to mobile phones will be charged at the original network operator's rate, regardless of whether the number has been transferred to another network.

You can find out which mobile phone number belongs to which Network. Further details are available on 'The Big Number' .

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