Well,  Yes.

They are the same and are treated the same way, but are different.

You see they are not premium numbers because their number starts with 08, this ignores that fact that the vast majority of 0871 numbers cost 10 pence a minute at all times. But not all.........

Most 0870 numbers are not premium numbers at all because their use can be as low as 3 pence per minute. But not all.........

Most 09xx numbers are premium numbers and their cost has to be quoted in writing in a text which we can all see.

The fact that a 6 minute call to an 09xx number will cost you considerably less than calling a 0871, being deiberately held in line for - say - 10 minutes, is not relevant.

I hope I have answered your question?

juby

Does the Numbering and pricing information thread not answer your question? 

Juby says that they are not premium rate. As far as I'm concerned, any number which passes costs/benefits to the receiver is premium rate.

OK, so they're not in the region of 50p or £1.50/min, but why should the caller have to pay more if the number isn't benefitting the recipient?

You are also overlooking the fact that even any 0870 number which is charged at such a low rate as 3 p per minute (I have never found any such myself at peak times) is still being maintained at a gross overcharge relative to free competitive rates particularly due to call queuing being permitted. This is how the Premium is paid.

For instance if a 0870 number at 3 p per minute was called and queued for 30 minutes before the actual required dynamic call and thus had total duration of 40 minutes the cost to the caller would be 40 X 3 p = £1.20. Whereas using the best competitive price to the same geographical location, with the same duration of queuing if a geo number was used the call cost would be 2 p only. That is 60 times the most competitive call cost to the same location! This is why it is a scam and is the whole basis of this rip-off. Many people just still don't seem to be able to get their minds around it! (It's all like stealth taxes and Tax Credits - about bamboozle and conjuring, which continue to fool most unthinking people.)

BT even admit to 0870 and 0871 being Premium numbers now.