Frequently Asked Questions About 0300 Numbers
How much does an 0300 number cost?
0300 numbers from Number Supermarket come with your first 2 months completely free, then from £14.99/mo on the Solo package. The Works package is £24.99/month and includes 1,000 minutes, call recording, and IVR. You can also buy a number outright for a one-off payment of £497. There are no setup fees and no long-term contracts.
Are 0300 numbers free to call?
0300 numbers are not free to call in the same way that 0800 freephone numbers are, but they cost the same as a standard UK landline call (01/02) and are included in every major UK mobile and landline inclusive-minute bundle — EE, Vodafone, O2, Three, BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media. For most customers, calling an 0300 effectively costs nothing because the call is covered by their plan's inclusive minutes. Ofcom requires all providers to treat 03 numbers (0300, 0330, 0345, 0370) identically to geographic 01/02 numbers for pricing.
What area code is 0300?
0300 is not a geographic area code. It is a UK non-geographic number range introduced by Ofcom in 2007 (alongside 0330, 0345 and 0370) and is reserved for not-for-profit and public-sector use. Calls cost the same as a standard UK landline call (01/02) and are included in callers’ inclusive minutes. 0300 numbers are not tied to any city or region, which is why they’re the standard range for the NHS, central government, local councils and registered charities.
Can I divert my 0300 number to a mobile?
Yes. When you buy an 0300 number from Number Supermarket, you can forward calls to any UK landline or mobile number. You can change your divert destination at any time through our online portal or smartphone app — useful for after-hours redirection, holiday cover, or routing different services to different teams.
How quickly can I get an 0300 number?
Most 0300 numbers are activated within minutes of completing your order. You choose your number, select your package, and our system provisions it almost instantly. No engineers, no installations, no waiting.
What features are included with an 0300 number?
Every 0300 number comes with 20+ features as standard, including call forwarding, voicemail to email, call recording, call whisper, time-of-day routing, hunt groups, IVR auto-attendant, and a web-based management portal.
Do I need special equipment for an 0300 number?
No. An 0300 number works with your existing phone setup. Calls are forwarded to whatever number you choose — office landline, mobile, or home phone. There is no hardware to install and no software required.
Can I keep my 0300 number if I switch provider?
Yes. Under Ofcom regulations, you have the right to port your 0300 number to any other provider. The porting process typically takes 1–2 working days. Your number belongs to you, not your provider — your 0300 is a business asset you control.
Who uses 0300 numbers?
0300 numbers are reserved by Ofcom for non-commercial organisations. Eligible categories are registered charities, public-sector bodies (central government, devolved administrations, NHS trusts, local councils, emergency services), educational establishments, and community amateur sports clubs (CASCs). Major users include NHS 111, HMRC, DVLA, Citizens Advice and Macmillan. Number Supermarket will confirm eligibility during checkout — you’ll need your charity registration number, public-sector identifier or CASC registration. Commercial businesses should choose 0330, 0345 or 0370 instead, which offer the same caller-friendly pricing and WhatsApp compatibility with no eligibility check.
Can I use my 0300 number with the free WhatsApp Business app?
Yes — and this is one of the biggest advantages 0300 has over 0800 freephone. Unlike 0800 numbers (which the free app rejects), 0300 numbers are accepted by the free WhatsApp Business app you download from the App Store or Google Play. Verify by SMS or automated voice call, set up your business profile and start chatting with customers on the same trusted number you use for voice calls.
How do I verify my 0300 number on WhatsApp Business?
0300 numbers verify on WhatsApp Business in the standard way: you choose SMS or voice-call verification when you install the app, Meta sends a 6-digit code to your 0300, and you enter it. Most setups take about 30 seconds. (If you're using the WhatsApp Business Platform tier instead of the free app, verification goes through your BSP.)
Should I use the free WhatsApp Business app or the Platform tier?
For sole traders and small teams using one device, the free WhatsApp Business app is usually all you need — it handles auto-replies, away messages, quick-reply templates and a basic product catalogue at zero cost per message. Upgrade to the WhatsApp Business Platform (Cloud API) via a BSP like Sinch, Twilio, Vonage or Infobip when you need multiple agents, CRM integration, chatbots, or bulk customer notifications. Your 0300 number works with both tiers — you can switch later without changing your number.
Will my customers pay to message me on WhatsApp?
No — WhatsApp messaging is free for customers on any UK mobile data plan or Wi-Fi. They pay nothing for messages, calls or media sent to your WhatsApp Business number. If you're on the free WhatsApp Business app, your side is free too. If you've upgraded to the Platform tier for multi-agent or chatbot use, you pay a small per-conversation fee to Meta via your BSP (typically £0.03–£0.06).
Can I use my 0300 for both voice calls and WhatsApp Business?
Yes — that's the whole point. One trusted business number handles both inbound phone calls (forwarded to your team) and WhatsApp Business chat (in the free app or Platform). Customers see consistent branding across your website, calls, signage and chat. WhatsApp registration does not affect call routing or anything else about how your 0300 works as a phone number.
What's the difference between 0300 and 0800 numbers?
Three differences: cost, eligibility and WhatsApp. 0800 is freephone — completely free for callers, business pays per-minute, available to any UK business. 0300 is a national-rate number — caller pays standard landline rate (almost always included in their allowance), but is Ofcom-restricted to charities and public-sector bodies. 0300 also works with the free WhatsApp Business app you download from the App Store or Google Play; 0800 does not (Meta’s free app rejects freephone numbers, so 0800 needs the paid Platform tier via a BSP). For commercial businesses, the closest 0300 equivalent is 0330 — same calling rules, no eligibility check, also works with the free WhatsApp app.