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Telephones

Telephone ServicesA list of UK telephone services can be found in Telephone Boxes and public buildings throughout the UK.

Dialling Prefixes

If a telephone number begins with 0800 or 0808, this means that it is free. Telephone numbers starting 0845, are charged at local rate. However, those numbers beginning with 09, (for example 0900, 0905) are known as Premium-Rate numbers and are very expensive to use - beware computer software companies and other ‘advice' lines who promote these numbers - there is usually another, considerably cheaper method of obtaining the information you need. Mobile phone and pager numbers begin with 07.

International Dialling Codes

You can make international calls from all private and all public telephones in the UK. You will need to use the country dialing codes to make international calls on public and private telephones. However, Skype offers an economic way to contact friends working with your standard internet connection. Note that your friends also need to download the software.

Calling from outside the UK

If you are calling any number from outside the UK you will need to dial the following number sequence: Dial your international access code, dial 44 for the UK, dial the area code without its leading zero, and then dial the full user number. e.g. for University College Falmouth main Woodlane Reception number you would dial the following:

Your country access code - 44 - 1326 - 211077

Public Telephones

Public telephones have become less used in Britain since people started using mobile phones. All use coins (£2, £1, 50p, 20p, and 10p) and you can buy Phonecards (to the value of £5 or £10) for BT public telephones from stationers, newsagents, Post Offices etc.

Mobile Telephones

Most students now use mobile telephones, the most common networks in Falmouth being Orange, Vodaphone and O2. You may be able to purchase a mobile for as little as £15 in ‘pay-as-you-talk' packages. Alternatively, you can buy a contract package which may include a free or discounted phone and free talk time/SMS. You should always check the details of connection charges, line rental, call-charging/air-time costs, length of contract, before you sign an agreement. It is usually the case that if a phone is on sale for a very small amount of money, you will usually end up paying higher call charges when you use the phone.

Cornwall does not offer 100% coverage on digital systems on account of its hilly terrain, so you might have to work out which network offers the best coverage for wherever you end up living while you are at UCF. There are several mobile telephone retailers in Falmouth and the surrounding area who would be able to advise you.

For further information on purchasing and using a mobile phone in the UK click here.

Directory Services

The ‘Yellow Pages' and the ‘Phone Book' list local residents and businesses, but there are a number of telephone directory enquiry services who will offer to connect you to the number you want. This can be convenient but may be charged at a higher rate than if you made the call yourself. All the providers below are obliged to give you the number to write down or they will text the number to your mobile phone.

  • 118 500  - British Telecom Directory Enquiries
  • 118 505 - BT International Directory Enquiries

Other telephone companies provide competitive directory enquiry services include:
For a full list of companies and prices click here.

Alternatively, Yell, is an online version of the British Yellow Pages that lists different businesses in the local area. Other online providers include British Telecom and 192.com.

You could also try Infobel for searching worldwide telephone, fax and e-mail numbers/addresses.

Related items

Main Handbook