- 056 is for
- VoIP / internet calling
- 055 is for
- Corporate, non-geographic numbers
- Geographic
- No
- Cost to call
- Special rate - check first
What are 055 corporate & 056 VoIP numbers?
055 and 056 are location-independent number ranges. 055 numbers are corporate numbers not tied to one place; 056 numbers are for VoIP (voice-over-internet) services.
Who uses 055 / 056 numbers?
056 VoIP numbers are used by internet telephony providers and businesses running cloud phone systems that want a UK number without a geographic area code. 055 corporate numbers are comparatively rare.
How much do 055 / 056 numbers cost to call?
Calls to 056 VoIP numbers are normally charged at a special rate set by the provider, which may be higher than a standard geographic call and may not be included in inclusive minutes - check with your provider. 055 corporate numbers are similarly charged at a special rate.
Scam & cost warnings
Because 056 numbers are cheap to obtain and not tied to a location, they are occasionally used by scammers. Treat unexpected calls from 056 numbers with the same caution as any other.
How to check a 055 / 056 number
Not sure about a number you’ve been given or called by? Paste it into the
UK phone number checker — it identifies the
type, the area (for geographic numbers) and the provider Ofcom allocated the range
to, using official data refreshed every Wednesday. Numbers in this range look like 056 0496 0000; paste a full number into the checker above to identify it.