Making calls to special numbers

When making a call from outside of the United States to a toll free or another type of special number (like Directory Assistance for example) be aware that you might be charged a whole lot more than you would expect. This happens because when you are calling to a toll-free number from the United States, the cost of that call is passed on to the company that supports that number, by your local provider. However, when you are dialing from outside of the US, things change, as your call is passed on through multiple carriers and companies, which usually charge a fee for the completion of the call - rates tend to be substantially higher than from your home phone.

Rates for calls to the United States from abroad vary by country, and often have surcharges, as some foreign hotels or phone numbers block access if you are dialing to a toll free number in the United States or charge several dollars simply to reach them. Foreign policies vary greatly; you might even find large surcharges for dialing toll-free numbers within the country.

When you intend to make a call to an international number, make sure you know what kind of number it is. Even though you think it's a regular landline, you may find that you will be charged a lot more for the call. Why? Because some institutions, such as universities, businesses, and hospitals, may establish their own phone lines and systems and the carriers read these private lines as mobile, and bill you as such.

A common example of such number is the 0870 number within the United Kingdom. 0870 numbers are billed at a special rate, and are known as National Call numbers by British Telecom. National Call numbers are usually set up by businesses or institutions in order to allow unrestricted availability to callers – regardless of the caller's location within the country or their calling service. These numbers are not toll-free; calling to them incurs a charge in addition to that of the international long distance rate. Because 0870 numbers employ the use of a phone service non-related to your regular company to complete the call, the cost to this number is at a higher rate, most of the time equivalent to that of a mobile phone rate.

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