More and more companies are using national phone numbers and service numbers, and calling these numbers is becoming increasingly common. But what are service numbers, and what types of service numbers exist?

In this article, we aim to answer these questions.

Service numbers are designed to provide a telephone service. Callers to a service number can get answers to their questions, place orders, or conduct remote banking, to name a few examples. The terms service numbers and information numbers are often used interchangeably.

A service number does not require a new phone to be installed. It is a virtual phone number.

This means that callers are connected to existing devices and numbers. A service number works with all existing phones, both landline and mobile. Read how service numbers work for more information about the process behind them.

Different Types of Service Numbers

Service numbers were initially used as national information numbers for emergency services, weather updates by phone, and calling for the exact time (atomic time).

Later, they were used for live voting on TV shows. In the Netherlands, this started with Henny Huisman’s Soundmix Show. Initially, these numbers had only three digits. For example, you could call 007 to report a malfunction.

As more companies requested service numbers, prefixes like 0800, 0900, 0906, and 0909 were introduced.

  • 0800 numbers are free for the caller.
  • 0900 numbers are paid service numbers for the caller.
  • 0906 numbers are premium-rate numbers for erotic services.
  • 0909 numbers are premium-rate numbers for entertainment services.

Later, other prefixes like 085 and 088 were introduced, giving entrepreneurs more options for service numbers. Both 085 and 088 numbers are charged at local rates for the caller.

Below are the main differences between these types of numbers:

  • 0800 Numbers: These 8- or 11-digit numbers are very popular with callers because they are free. The number holder covers the call costs, making it as easy as possible for callers to reach out. These numbers are popular as customer service or order numbers.
  • 0900 Numbers: With these numbers, the number holder sets the call rate. You can charge a low local rate, a cost-covering price per minute, or even a rate that generates profit per call. This is possible with a 0900 number. Like 0800 numbers, 0900 numbers consist of 8 or 11 digits.
  • 088 Numbers: These numbers are also known as business numbers because they were originally intended for larger companies with multiple departments and/or locations. The 088 numbers are registered in series of at least 100 numbers, allowing number owners to quickly activate a new number within the same series. This is ideal for large companies with many locations or departments.
  • 085 Numbers: The 085 numbers are non-geographic, national phone numbers registered individually. Callers are charged local rates. These numbers resemble regular numbers but offer all the extras of virtual numbers. They provide a national presence as they are not directly associated with a specific city or region. The costs for the caller are the same as for regular local numbers.

In addition to these types, there are also 0909 (for games and other paid entertainment) and 0906 (erotic) numbers. Since we focus on the business use of service numbers, we will not discuss these further.

Name-Numbers: Easier to Remember

Following developments in the United States, name-numbers were introduced in the 1990s. Many push-button phones were already equipped with letters. Here’s the letter distribution on phones:

  • No letters.
  • A, B, C (2)
  • D, E, F (3)
  • G, H, I (4)
  • J, K, L (5)
  • M, N, O (6)
  • P, Q, R, S (7)
  • T, U, V (8)
  • W, X, Y, Z (9).

By associating the digits in a service number with one of the three or four letters on the corresponding button, you can sometimes spell a meaningful word. Companies often ask us if a specific word is still available as a service number. For example, we use the number 0800-235 3227 (0800-BELFABRIEK). You can do the same for your business at no extra cost.

Name-numbers can only be registered for the prefixes 0800 and 0900. For an 8-digit service number, the name must contain at least 4 letters, while for an 11-digit name-number, the word must have at least 7 characters. We say “at least” because it’s not a problem if the name is longer. The phone system simply ignores the extra digits that don’t matter.

Questions? Ready to register? Call us at 0800-235 3227!