No, 0343 numbers are not free to call on UK mobile networks. However inclusive minutes may be used instead of paying a monetary fee to phone these helplines.
Background on 0343 numbers
0343 numbers are part of the wider set of national 03 helplines which are used for a variety of organisations which include private companies, charities and government bodies. These numbers are charged at ‘local rates’ which means usually you will have to pay an access charge followed by a per-minute rate to make the call, however inclusive minutes on your tariff can be used to call them for ‘free’ (the only thing you will lose is the number of minutes equivalent to the length of the call).
How much does it cost to call 0343 numbers on UK mobile networks (excluding free minutes)?
- Cost of calling 0343 numbers on EE (pay monthly): a charge of 50p per minute plus a 50p access fee is levied on calls to 0343 numbers from EE handsets.
- How much does it cost to phone 0343 numbers on O2? O2 customers on monthly contracts can expect to pay 35p per minute (with 35p access fee) to call 0343 numbers if they have run out of inclusive minutes.
- Current cost of phoning 0343 numbers on Vodafone: currently you will be charged 55p per minute plus 55p access fee to call 0343 numbers on Vodafone (mobile contract users with no remaining free minutes).