Activate a virtual phone number in the United Kingdom

In England, we offer toll-free numbers for your English customers. These numbers start with 0800 or 0808. You can activate toll-free numbers in England without a local business address. If you are looking for a number that will generate a high response, choose a toll-free number for your English customers.

Are you looking for a phone number in England that English callers can call at normal local rates? Choose an English number from one of the national ranges. You can order these without a local business address.

We can activate a local number in any city in England. For a local number in England, you do not need a local business address.

The area codes of the top 15 UK cities are: London (020), Birmingham (0121), Leeds (0113), Glasgow (0141), Sheffield (0114), Bradford (01274), Liverpool (0151), Edinburgh (0131), Manchester (0161), Bristol (0117), Wakefield (01924), Cardiff (029), Coventry (024), Nottingham (0115), and Leicester (0116).

Fixed English phone numbers are 11 digits long. The first 3 or 4 digits indicate the area code, and the remaining 7 or 8 digits are the subscriber number. The country code of the UK is +44.

• International Code: The international access code for the United Kingdom is +44. This replaces the initial 0 of a UK number when dialing from abroad.

• Historical Background: The first phone numbers in the UK consisted of only a few digits. London had the very first phone system, introduced in 1879, consisting of manual switchboards operated by telephone operators.

• London Numbers: Until 1990, London had two area codes: 071 for central London and 081 for outer London. This was later changed to 0171 and 0181, and eventually to 020 for all of London in 2000.

• Iconic Phone Box: The red phone box, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1924, is an iconic symbol of the UK. Though they are less used due to mobile phones, many of these boxes still exist, often as tourist attractions.

• Premium Numbers: Like in many other countries, the UK has premium numbers (starting with 09), often used for paid services like technical support or voting in TV shows.

• Emergency Numbers: The emergency number in the UK is 999, introduced in 1937 as the world's first emergency number. Later, 112 was added as the European emergency number, which also works in the UK.

• Memorable Numbers: Some businesses invest in easy-to-remember phone numbers, such as those with repetitive or symmetrical digit patterns. These are often more expensive due to their commercial value.

• Phone Book: The first phone book in the UK was published in 1880 and contained only 248 names and addresses. Today, printed phone books are less used due to the rise of digital communication.

• Geographically Specific Numbers: The first few digits of a UK phone number (after the area code) often indicate the geographic location. For example, numbers starting with 020 are for London, while 0161 is for Manchester.

• Mobile Numbers: Mobile numbers in the UK typically start with 07, making it easy to distinguish between landlines and mobile lines.

The advantages of registering a UK number with Belfabriek include:

• A local presence for your business in the United Kingdom

• Your business can be called on a British number in the UK

• Welcome message and phone menu in English

• No need to purchase new hardware or phones

• Active as a local telecom company in 14 European countries, with first-class national and international telecommunications services.