Porting 0800, 0300 and Non-Geographic Numbers to VoIP
Understanding Non-Geographic Numbers
Non-geographic phone numbers are UK telephone numbers that are not tied to a specific location. Unlike 01 and 02 numbers that indicate a local area, non-geographic numbers can be answered from anywhere in the country. They are widely used by businesses for sales lines, customer service departments and national helplines.
The main types of non-geographic numbers used by UK businesses are:
0800 and 0808 — Freephone Numbers
Freephone numbers are free for the caller to dial from both landlines and mobiles. They are popular for sales enquiry lines, customer support and marketing campaigns because they remove the cost barrier for customers to get in touch. The business pays for the incoming calls instead.
0300 — Not-for-Profit Numbers
0300 numbers were introduced specifically for public sector organisations and not-for-profit bodies such as charities, NHS services and government departments. They cost the caller the same as dialling a standard 01 or 02 number, making them an affordable alternative to premium-rate numbers.
0333 — Standard Rate Numbers
0333 numbers are the commercial equivalent of 0300 numbers. They cost the caller the same as a local call and are typically included in mobile phone inclusive minutes bundles. Businesses use 0333 numbers to provide a national presence without the cost of a freephone number.
Porting Non-Geographic Numbers to VoIP
The process for porting 0800, 0300 and 0333 numbers to a hosted VoIP system is similar to porting geographic numbers, with a few differences:
Step 1: Confirm Number Ownership
Verify that the non-geographic numbers are registered in your organisation's name. Non-geographic numbers are sometimes managed through a reseller or intermediary, so it is important to confirm who the current range holder is.
Step 2: Submit Porting Request
Your VoIP provider submits a porting request to the current carrier. You will need to provide a Letter of Authority and your account details. Connection Technologies manages this entire process on your behalf.
Step 3: Porting Timescales
Non-geographic number porting typically takes 5–10 working days, similar to geographic numbers. However, some non-geographic ranges — particularly older 0800 numbers — may take slightly longer if they involve complex routing arrangements with the current carrier.
Step 4: Go Live
Once ported, your non-geographic numbers are fully integrated into your VoIP phone system. Calls are routed according to your configured rules — to ring groups, auto attendants, individual extensions or any combination.
Benefits of Non-Geographic Numbers on VoIP
Running your 0800, 0300 or 0333 numbers through a VoIP platform unlocks significant advantages over traditional telephony:
Flexible Call Routing
With VoIP, you have complete control over how calls to your non-geographic numbers are handled:
- Time-based routing — route calls to different teams or locations depending on the time of day or day of the week
- Geographic routing — direct callers to their nearest office based on the number they dialled or their location
- Overflow routing — if your primary team is busy, automatically overflow calls to a secondary group or voicemail
- Disaster recovery — instantly reroute calls to alternative numbers or locations if your main site is unavailable
Geographic Independence
Non-geographic numbers on VoIP are truly location-independent. Your 0800 number can ring on desk phones in your London office, softphone apps used by remote workers in Edinburgh, and mobile devices carried by field staff — all simultaneously or in any sequence you choose.
Real-Time Management
Make changes to your call routing instantly through an online portal. There is no need to call your provider and wait for changes to be implemented. If you need to redirect your 0800 line to a different team for a marketing campaign, you can do it yourself in seconds.
Cost Implications
Understanding the costs associated with non-geographic numbers on VoIP:
0800 Freephone Costs
As the business, you pay for incoming calls to your 0800 number. On a VoIP platform, these inbound call charges are typically lower than traditional carriers — often 2–5p per minute from landlines and 5–10p per minute from mobiles. Some VoIP providers offer inclusive inbound bundles.
0300 and 0333 Costs
For 0300 and 0333 numbers, the caller pays standard local rates (and calls are usually included in their mobile minutes). The business typically pays little or nothing for inbound calls on these numbers, making them a cost-effective alternative to freephone.
Monthly Number Hosting
There may be a small monthly charge for hosting non-geographic numbers on your VoIP platform, typically £1–5 per number per month. This is significantly less than the line rental costs associated with traditional non-geographic number services.
Call Routing Options
VoIP gives you sophisticated routing options for your virtual phone number that simply are not possible with traditional telephony:
- Sequential ringing — try one number, then another, then another
- Simultaneous ringing — ring all destinations at once, first to answer takes the call
- Weighted distribution — distribute calls across a team based on percentages
- Skills-based routing — route calls to agents with specific skills or language abilities
- IVR menus — let callers choose a department before being connected
These options ensure that every call to your non-geographic number is handled professionally and efficiently, improving customer experience and reducing missed calls.
Need to port your 0800, 0300 or 0333 numbers to VoIP? Get a free quote from Connection Technologies and we will manage the entire process for you as part of your business phone service migration.
