Know your rights: Non-Geographic Numbers
Question
What are non-geographic numbers?
Answer
A non-geographic number (NGN) is any number
beginning with 1800, 1850, 1890, 0818 or 076.
NGNs are used by Irish businesses,
charities and other organisations to deliver services like helplines. Calls to
1800 numbers are free. Calls to 1850, 1890, 0818 and 076 numbers cost the same
as calling a landline, and are included in ‘call bundles’ that include landline
calls. This means that, when you call an NGN, it is either deducted from your
bundle, or charged on a per-minute basis.
What
is changing?
From 1 January 2022, there will only be 2
NGN numbers: 1800 and 0818. Organisations using 1850, 1890 or 076 numbers are
now updating their contact details.
Why
are the changes happening?
Many people avoid calling 1850, 1890 and
076 numbers because they think they are confusing and expensive. ComReg is
reducing the number of NGNs to simplify NGNs for consumers.
From January 2022, there will be just 2
NGNs – 1800 (Freephone) and 0818 (Standard rate). This makes call costs easier
to understand.
What
happens if I call an 1850, 1890 or 076 number in 2022?
From 1 January 2022, all 1850, 1890 and 076
numbers will be withdrawn from service and you will not be able to use them.
You can check an organisation’s website and social media channels for their new
contact details.
You can also get information and advice from:
·
The Citizens
Information Phone Service: Call 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).
·
Our national call
back service: Visit citizensinformation.ie/callback to request a phone
call from an information officer
You can contact your local
centre by email or phone using the details in the Find a
Centre page on citizensinformation.ie.
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