Gaining Insight into the UK 0121 Area Code | Know the Cost Per Call, Location, and How to Call

Have you noticed the 0121 area code telephone number prefix?

If you’re wondering what it’s for and if it’s free, you have come to the right place to learn information about it.

This number is regulated by the Office of Communications, also known as Ofcom. This organisation is responsible for the UK’s broadcasting, telecommunications, and mail services.

Whether you are making a telephone call to 0121 numbers from a landline or a mobile phone, it is important that you find out how much each minute costs.

Despite Ofcom setting a base rate per area code, providers like Vodafone and EE determine the exact costs per call.

This short guide will answer all your questions about area code 0121.

You can find an overview of frequently asked questions about the 0121 area code below.

• What Area Code Is 0121?
• What Is the 0121 Number Cost?
• Is 0121 Free on EE?
• Are 0121 Numbers Free on Sky Mobile?
• Are 0121 Numbers Included in Vodafone Minutes?
• How Do I Call 0121 Numbers?
• Are Calls to 0121 Numbers Cheaper Than Other UK Numbers?
• Which 0121 Numbers Are Used By Service Providers?

What Area Code Is 0121?

Ofcom’s telephone area code list states that the 0121 area code is a geographic number in the 01 range and is assigned to Birmingham, a city and metropolitan borough in West Midlands, England.

Before 1995 PhONEday, this area code was referred to as 061 and was part of the ‘all figure dialling’ period between 1966 and 1970. In 1995, 0121 was implemented as part of the PhONEday changes.

0121 numbers are considered three-digit area codes with seven-digit subscriber numbers.

There are five major cities in the UK that are allocated three-digit area codes: Birmingham, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Manchester.

This is a list of the area codes and their corresponding numbers for the five large cities in the UK that have three-digit area codes:

• 0121 – Birmingham
• 0131– Edinburgh
• 0141– Glasgow
• 0151 – Liverpool
• 0161 – Manchester

What Is the 0121 Number Cost?

According to Ofcom’s call cost guide, landline calls to 01 or 0121 numbers usually cost 16p per minute and mobile phone calls can cost between 3p and 65p per minute.

However, rates and charges can differ depending on the communications service provider.

Moreover, the area, time, and device used for the call can also affect the total cost.

When you purchase a communication plan from your provider, you usually receive inclusive minutes to call 01 numbers.

After you use up the free calls, you’ll have to pay for additional calls. Find out how much these charges cost per minute by contacting your communications provider.

Is 0121 Free on EE?

The EE charges guide states that making calls to 01 numbers such as 0121 is part of a free minutes package for UK landline and mobile calls.

However, this does not apply to Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man. If you use more minutes than your free minutes, there is an additional cost for access and service fees.

The access charges per minute, including VAT are listed as follows:

• EE pay monthly mobile customers – 73p per minute
• EE SIM only mobile customers – 73p per minute
• EE pay as you go and Flex customers – 44p per minute
• EE Broadband and Phone customers – 12p per minute
• EE Small Business Customers – Business Access Charges page

Are 0121 Numbers Free on Sky Mobile?

According to Sky Mobile’s Tariff Guide, you can call 01 numbers like 0121 numbers free of charge as long as you still have plan allowances or inclusive minutes.

If you use up all of your plan allowances, then you’ll be charged £0.10 per minute to call UK landlines with numbers beginning with 01, 02, or 3. You can use this plan allowance with the Unlimited Calls and Texts plans.

Are 0121 Numbers Included in Vodafone Minutes?

Vodafone has a set quota of inclusive minutes to be used when making calls to UK landlines with the 01 prefixes such as 0121. You will be charged 55p per minute when you surpass that limit.

If you would like to learn more about the cost of each plan, the standard rate for UK calls, and the cost per UK message, you can refer to Vodafone’s charges guide.

How Do I Call 0121 Numbers?

International Calls:

You will need to dial UK Dialing Code +44 when calling 0121 numbers from outside the UK. Simply dial +44, add 121, and dial the remaining seven-digit subscriber number.

The dialled number should be +44 121 xxx xxxx.

National Calls:

When calling within the United Kingdom, dial the three-digit area code 0121 followed by the seven-digit subscriber number. The dialled number should be 0121 xxx xxxx.

Are Calls to 0121 Numbers Cheaper Than Other UK Numbers?

Calling 0121 numbers may not be cost-effective compared to other UK numbers, due to several conditions, including the timing of the call, the area, and the phone you are using.

As displayed in the table below, phoning 01 numbers is more expensive than others. When compared to 01 numbers, dialling 30 numbers is less expensive since it costs a maximum of 10p per minute.

On the contrary, the cost of calling 70 numbers is more than that of 01 numbers, as it costs 50p per minute to call 70 numbers.

Also, certain UK numbers are free to call, such as 0800, 0808, 101, 105, 111, 112, 116, and 999. A full list of the cost per minute for UK numbers is available below.

Table of Cost Per Minute for UK Numbers

Number	Cost Via Landline	Cost Via Mobile
01 02	up to 16p per minute	3p to 65p per minute
03 0345	up to 16p per minute	3p to 65p per minute
30	up to 10p per minute	3p to 40p per minute
7	10p to 20p per minute	3p to 65p per minute
70	50p per minute	86p per minute
0800 0808	No Charge	No Charge
0843 0844 0845	up to 7p per minute + phone company’s access charge	up to 7p per minute + phone company’s access charge
0870 0871 0872 0873	up to 13p per minute + phone company’s access charge	up to 13p per minute + phone company’s access charge
9	up to £3.60 per minute, access charge, and additional 5p to £6 per call	up to £3.60 per minute, access charge, and additional 5p to £6 per call
101	No Charge	No Charge
105	No Charge	No Charge
111	No Charge	No Charge
112	No Charge	No Charge
116	No Charge	No Charge
118	up to £3.65 per 90 seconds and the phone company access charge	up to £3.65 per 90 seconds and the phone company access charge
999	No Charge	No Charge

Which 0121 Numbers Are Used By Service Providers?

Using Ofcom’s website, you can access the numbering data to identify who is calling you.

This data includes details of companies in Birmingham that use 0121 numbers, such as their geographic number length and the status of their allocation.

It also includes specific numbers that are protected, allocated, quarantined, or free.

Here are some examples of companies utilising 0121 numbers.

Table of 0121 Numbers Used by Service Providers

NMS Number Block: Number Block	Allocation Status	Company
1210 00	Allocated	FleXtel Limited
1210 01	Allocated	Dynamic Mobile Billing Limited
1210 02	Allocated	IPV6 Limited
1210 03	Allocated	Virgin Media Limited
1210 05	Allocated	Vonage Business Limited
1210 07	Allocated	Syntec Limited
1210 10	Allocated	TalkTalk Communications Limited
1210 12	Allocated	Vonage Business Limited

Final Thoughts on 0121 Area Code UK

To sum up, 0121 numbers are assigned to Birmingham numbers and are subject to the same national call charges.

Most communication service providers include a plan allowance for calls to 0121 numbers.

To find out more about call costs and plans, you should contact your service provider.

If you have any new information or insights about 0121 numbers or other UK numbers, you can submit your name, email address, and comment below.

Winterville has several helpful guides that provide more information about other UK area codes.

• Are 0345 Numbers Free in the UK?
• Introduction to 0203 Area Code UK
• All You Need to Know About 0131 Area Code UK
• A Guide to 0141 Area Code UK
• What Is 01482 Area Code UK