What is a callthrough service?

A callthrough service is a telecommunications service provided by an independent provider using non-geographic numbers as access numbers.

Non-geographic numbers are charged at a higher rate than geographic numbers, and in the UK, the access numbers currently start with 08 or 09

These access numbers vary in cost from 1p, 2p, 3p 4p, 5p, 6p, 7p, 8p, 9p, 10p up to over 50p per minute.

If a customer makes a call from the UK - direct access - he normally pays the rate advertised for the number (e.g. 5p per minute). If using a UK mobile phone or other network or an indirect service provider, he may pay more than the advertised rate.

The callthrough service provider is paid by the network that delivers the call to his exchange or switching equipment. From the UK, per second billing applies to callers with no minimum charge. From outside the UK, the final charging depends upon the indirect provider.