Premium-rate calls or free numbers?
Premium rate numbers start with 0900, 0939, or 0944, hence the term “900 calls.” Calls to such numbers cost more than a regular phone call. The cost of the call is paid via the telecom operator’s invoice, and the operator then pays a service provider the portion of the cost that pertains to payment for the actual service. Examples of common services that can be paid for with 900 calls include calling a dating line, horoscope services, or purchasing virtual items in an online game on the internet. Numbers that start with 0700 have a shared rate, and there are also toll-free numbers that start with 010 or 0200.
Page summary
There are different types of phone numbers in Sweden with different costs. Premium rate calls often start with 0900, 0939, or 0944 and are more expensive than regular calls. Examples of services are dating lines and horoscopes. Some numbers, like 0700, have a shared rate. 010- and 020/0200-numbers are free to call. For 900-calls that cost more than 20 kronor, the price must always be clearly stated at the beginning of the call.
Calls to 900 numbers
For 900 calls that may cost more than twenty kronor, price information must be provided within ten seconds. There are two different types of charges. One means that you are charged for the time the call has been connected, so-called “price per minute”. When you dial such a number, you first hear a voice saying: “In addition to the regular call charge, this call costs X kronor per minute”. If you hang up immediately, no charge is made at all.
The other type of charge is the so-called “price per call”. This type of service is used to, for example, pay for an advertisement, make a donation to a charity, or pay for a web game using the phone. Before such a call is connected, you initially hear a recorded voice saying: “This call costs X kronor. If you accept the cost, press one”.
You are therefore always informed about the cost of the call if the cost is higher than twenty kronor.
Calls to 099 numbers
Mass calling is a service designed to handle a large number of calls to the same number in a short period of time. It is used in, for example, voting, like the Melodifestivalen, or in various types of competitions.
Technically, the service works so that when you call these numbers with the prefix 099, the call is registered immediately and since the connection time is very short, there is the possibility to make many calls in a short time.
Many competition programs on TV have incorporated some form of random number generator into their systems. In this way, the call that is allowed through to the actual program is selected. All other calls reach a voicemail whose message usually reads something like: “Unfortunately, you did not get through to program x this time, but please try again!” It is important to remember that even calls that do not get through to the program, but only to a voicemail, are charged according to the price stated in the program.
Calls to 077 numbers
077-number is called a shared cost call as both the caller and the receiver pay a call cost. You usually pay an opening fee and then a per-minute cost. Both of these costs can vary between different operators. Check with your operator what it costs to call 077-numbers.
If the person you are calling has a 077-number and you are waiting in line, you pay while you wait. It is the respective authority or company that chooses whether they want to let their customers call for free via toll-free numbers (starting with 020 or 0200) or if the customer should pay to call, as is the case with 077-numbers. Any complaints are directed to the respective authority or company. This also applies if you have comments on their information about the call cost.
According to the Contract Terms Act, it is unreasonable to refer consumers to a number with a premium rate to reach customer service. As examples of numbers with a premium rate, those starting with 0900, 0939, 0944, or 099 (premium rate services) are mentioned. However, numbers starting with 077 are not mentioned as numbers with a premium rate.
Toll-free numbers starting with 010 or 020, 0200
A 010 number is a toll-free phone number. It is usually used to offer free calls to consumers, which means that the caller is not charged for the call.
A 020 or 0200 number is a so-called toll-free number in Sweden. This means that it is free for the caller to use this number, and the cost of the call is fully covered by the recipient, usually a company or an authority. These numbers are often used by organizations and companies to provide customer service, information, or support without incurring any additional costs for the consumer.
Calls to directory assistance
There are several different directory assistance companies (also known as subscriber information companies). It also happens that operators have their own directory assistance services. Pricing is not regulated and therefore the cost of making these calls can vary. Calls to directory assistance can cost significantly more than a regular call.