My daughter is in the military and has just been allocated (and others with her) a "smart" number starting 030  she has told me that wherever she is, she does a swipe with a card which then means the number I dial gets direct to her. This I understand. What neither of us know is what would be the cost to me when dialling this number.

Secondly as my landline is via talktalk, would this smart number be part of the free calls?

and finally, what charges are likely to be involved via my mobile, would they be part of free minutes?

Calls to 03 numbers are charged at no more than a geographic call from landlines and mobiles. They also come from inclusive minutes, just as geographic numbers do.

thank you Dave, for being quick and reassuring.

Selection of a 03 number is ideal in this situation. All of the "smart" costs are being carried by the MoD. Callers will pay for a "normal" call, as if to a 01/02 number i.e. very commonly included in a package. Well done the MoD.