How much does it cost to call a 01388 number?

Calls to 01388 numbers are standard geographic landline calls, charged at your provider’s normal UK landline rate and usually included in inclusive minutes — the same as calling an 03 number.

I had a missed call from a 01388 number — is it a scam?

Not necessarily, but be careful: scammers spoof local codes such as 01388 so a call looks like it’s from Bishop Auckland and you’re more likely to answer. If in doubt, hang up and call the organisation back on a number you find independently.

How do I dial a Bishop Auckland number from abroad?

Drop the leading 0 and add +44. A number written as 01388 XXXXXX becomes +44 1388 XXXXXX when dialled internationally.

Can this tool tell me who owns the number?

No. It shows the area of the dialling code and the provider Ofcom allocated the number range to — not the individual or business holding a specific number, which may also have been ported to another network.

01388 Area Code – Bishop Auckland | Dialling Code, Format & Call Charges

Q: Where is the 01388 area code?

01388 is the UK geographic dialling code for Bishop Auckland. Any number written as 01388 XXXXXX is tied to the Bishop Auckland dialling-code area, though with modern VoIP a business can keep its 01388 number after moving away.

Dialling code: 01388
Area: Bishop Auckland
Number type: Geographic landline (01/02)
Local format: 01388 XXXXXX
From abroad: +44 1388 XXXXXX
Ofcom number blocks: 604
Blocks in service: 213
Range holders: 95

Where is the 01388 area code?

The 01388 dialling code is the UK geographic area code for Bishop Auckland. Because 01388 is a geographic (01/02) code, a number using it is tied to the Bishop Auckland dialling-code area — though with modern hosted telephony (VoIP) a business can keep a 01388 number after moving premises, so the code reflects the number’s designated area rather than a guaranteed physical location today.

Ofcom currently lists 604 number blocks under 01388, of which 213 are allocated to 95 communications providers.

Bishop Auckland phone number format

A Bishop Auckland number is made up of a 5-digit area code followed by a 5 or 6-digit local number. Written in full it looks like 01388 XXXXXX (the Xs stand for the local digits). Ofcom has not reserved a fictitious drama range for 01388; for on-screen examples it recommends the unused 01632 960000–01632 960999 range.

Who holds 01388 number ranges?

Ofcom allocates 01388 numbers to providers in blocks. These providers hold the largest allocations under 01388:

Range holder (allocated by Ofcom)	Number blocks	Example range
GCI Network Solutions Limited	23	`01388 220XXX`
BT	21	`01388 335XXX`
Sky UK Limited	11	`01388 227XXX`
Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited	9	`01388 217XXX`
TalkTalk Communications Limited	8	`01388 205XXX`
Magrathea Telecommunications Limited	7	`01388 540XXX`
Digital Space Group Limited	4	`01388 208XXX`
IOVOX Limited	4	`01388 236XXX`

…and 87 more providers hold smaller allocations in this range.

Ofcom’s data shows the provider each number range was originally allocated to — not who holds an individual number today. Numbers are frequently moved (ported) between providers, and no public database reveals the person or business behind a specific number, so treat any service that claims to with suspicion.

01388 number ranges

Browse the allocated 01388 ranges by their first local digit — each guide lists the providers holding that slice of Bishop Auckland’s numbers:

01388 2XXXXX · 53 ranges 01388 3XXXXX · 65 ranges 01388 4XXXXX · 20 ranges 01388 5XXXXX · 42 ranges 01388 6XXXXX · 11 ranges 01388 7XXXXX · 7 ranges 01388 8XXXXX · 15 ranges

Call charges for 01388 numbers

Calls to 01388 geographic numbers are charged at your phone provider’s standard UK landline rate and are normally included in inclusive call minutes. UK-wide 03 numbers are guaranteed by Ofcom to cost the same as 01/02 calls, while 084, 087 and 09 numbers cost considerably more — always check the prefix before you dial.

Spotting spoofed 01388 scam calls

Fraudsters frequently spoof local dialling codes, faking the caller ID so a scam call appears to come from a Bishop Auckland (01388) number you might trust. Remember:

A familiar 01388 area code is not proof the caller is local or genuine — caller ID can be faked.
Banks, HMRC and the police will never ask you to move money or share passwords or one-time codes over the phone.
If a call feels off, hang up, wait a moment, and call the organisation back on a number from their official website or your statement.
Report nuisance calls to the ICO and forward scam texts to 7726 (free).

Other dialling codes in this range

Numerically adjacent UK dialling codes:

01386 Evesham Area code guide 01387 Dumfries Area code guide 01389 Dumbarton Area code guide 01392 Exeter Area code guide

Browse all UK area-code guides ›

Run mobiles for a business? See our business mobile network comparison or get a quote.

01388 area code – Bishop Auckland