1800 vs 1300 Numbers
As a previous resident of the United States, I have never understood the difference between 1800 and 1300 numbers. And I particularly remember my astonishment that Australia also uses 1800 numbers, just like in the States.
What exactly is a 1800 number and what is the difference between a 1800 and a 1300 number?
The 1-800 number is often known as a toll-free, freecall, or even freephone number. The receiver, rather than the caller, is charged the cost of the call.
There are many reasons why a company would want to offer a toll-free number to its customers:
- It encourages clients to call your company because they won’t have to pay for the call thus enhancing sales, communication with your clients and customer satisfaction
- It enhances the professional image of your company
- The company may charge the calling party in another way, such as during technical support calls
Prior to the invention of toll-free numbers, ‘collect calls’ allowed callers to charge the receiver. ‘Freephone’ facilities were introduced by the British Post Office in 1960, and then in 1967 AT&T rolled out toll-free services for the home phone. This alternative to collect calling streamlined the processing, decreasing the need for telephone operators.
The North American prefix for toll-free numbers 1-800 was adopted in Australia and is now used widely in the region. However, 1300 numbers are even more popular in Australia. Unlike toll-free calls, these ‘Local Rate Numbers’ charge the caller, but only the cost of a local call – no matter where in the country they may be calling to. These numbers are great for companies that have their offices and telephone support distributed across the country.
Some things you should know:
· Mobile phone callers are charged at their standard rate per minute when they call a 1-300 or 1-800 number
· 1300 and 1800 numbers are relocatable across Australia and can be transferred between different telecommunications suppliers.
· 1300 and 1800 numbers are a premium number scheme, subject to charges from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) of approximately $10,000 per annum.
