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I suppose this could be a frequently asked question.

It all comes down to the fact that the telco originating the call, eg BT, TalkTalk, OneTel, is only allowed to keep a small amount to carry the call and must pass the rest to the terminating communications provider (TCP). The TCP is the telco providing the NGN.

This is the reason the cost of calling these numbers cannot fall, as TCPs require their cut. Thus, the caller is in effect subsidising the NGN by paying the TCP.

In some cases, TCPs share this revenue with the called party. Basically, the revenue sharing between the telcos and the terminating party is only the tip of the iceberg.

One would presume that they should receive income in cash per minute or in kind. This latter might take the form of enhanced facilities, redirection and so on - all of which are now available on geographic numbers, particularly combined with IP networks. But no income? They should find a better provider.

Better still publish a Hastings number   

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It's not all about receiving income on NGN numbers, sometimes it's about the ability to use advanced network functionality that you cannot get on geographic numbers, e.g Routing by time of day, or by geography, or to enable disaster recovery scenarios to be managed. Sometimes to overflow to other locations rather than have you get a busy signal or to have to re-dial.

Ditto 8)

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As there is less e-bit available in 0845/44 vs 087x the odds are that for Hastings it is the more economical option. If they can't save money on telephony they will have to get recompence elsewhere, primarily in premium hikes. 

Also let's get the Public Call Telephones in pespective, hardly anyone uses them these days, that's why if you look around the streets you'll only ever see BT call boxes unless the site is in a heavily used pedestrianised location such as Oxford Street or Airports. The profit has gone right out of them. People appear to prefer Mobiles and are using them in preference to fixed line services.