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You can find public payphones in the street and at stations, hotels, cafes, pubs and shopping centres. You can make emergency 999 calls for free but you must pay for all other calls except for those beginning with 0800. You need to either insert a minimum of 40p or a phone card. Phonecards can be purchased from local newsagents. All payphones have instructions for making calls and other useful information. |
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From payphones you can call the operator for free by dialling 100.
Other free services from payphones include:
- 118 500 for UK directory enquiries.
- 118 505 for international directory enquiries.
- 100 to speak to the operator.
- 155 for international operator assistance.
If you make these calls from a mobile or home phone charges will apply.
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Phone and business directories |
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In all houses and businesses there are copies of local telephone directories such as The Phone Book, The Yellow Pages and The Thompson’s Directory.
They all have details of local businesses and services and are really useful when you need to find a shop, company or service.
You can search online or through an internet search engine or contact directory enquiries. Please be aware these calls can be expensive so check with the provider before you make them.
Copies of directories are also available to view in all County Libraries. |
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Understanding telephone numbers |
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In the UK telephone numbering system, numbers starting with:
- 01 and 02 are charged at standard rate (details from your telephone service provider)
- 07 are mobile numbers
- 080 are free from a standard telephone
- 0844 are fixed rate up to 5p a minute
- 0845 are charged at local rates
- 0871 are fixed rate up to 10p a minute
- 09 are premium rate up to £1.50 a minute
- 999 or 112 are the emergency numbers for police, fire and ambulance
These approximate charges are for using a landline phone. If you use a mobile the costs will vary.
0800 numbers are not free from mobiles.
If you search on the Internet you can find cheap ways to call home; for example, type ‘cheap calls to Poland’ into a search engine and see what is available.
You can also use the computer to talk to family and friends.
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Communication 
