You want to call a friend in London? This time you are lucky. Follow these simple steps to make calls to any landline or mobile network in London.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Collecting the Required Numbers
Step 1. Find your country's prefix or international dialing code
This number allows you to make calls to countries other than your own (or the country you are calling from). Keep in mind that each country has a different outgoing dialing code. If you make an international phone call from the United States, your outgoing dialing code is 011.
- Do a search using a search engine to find your country code. You can find the country code by doing an online search with the keyword “-Your Country Name-Outgoing dialing code”.
- The two most frequently used outgoing dialing codes are 011-for the United States and other countries belonging to the North American Numbering Plan-and 00, for Mexico, Europe, and many other countries.
- For some countries, such as Brazil, you may have several outgoing dialing codes to choose from. The outgoing dialing code you use determines the international service you will use to make calls.
Step 2. Find the country code prefix or the national country code you want to call
The country code usually consists of 1-3 digits and identifies the country you are calling from. The UK country code is 44.
If you are calling from any part of the UK, you do not need to enter the dialing code or country code (44). However, you need to add a 0 in front of the London area code. So the London prefix code is 020 instead of 20, for international calls
Step 3. Get the area code or city code
This number can consist of 1-5 digits and will narrow the geographical reach of your phone within the country you wish to call. This number always starts with 0 but 0 is omitted when calling internationally. The London area code is 020, so you can omit the 0 and use 20. So (if you're calling from the US), you'd dial, 011 44 20, followed by the local phone number.
Step 4. The mobile phone has a 5-digit non-geographic code, for example 07939 or 07850
Since this code is non-geographical, it applies to a specific region. You still need to omit the 0 for mobile phones. If you are calling a cell phone using one of the codes above, you will need to dial 011 44 7939 or 011 44 7850.
Step 5. Get a local phone number
This number is the residential, company or mobile phone number you wish to call in London. The UK uses an 8-digit local telephone number for the telephone network.
Step 6. Keep in mind that cell phones in the UK have a 6 digit number
Part 2 of 2: Calling
Step 1. Check the local time
London uses Greenwich Mean Time in winter and British Summer Time in summer. London has an interesting geographical position because it is located right next to Greenwich, which passes through the prime meridian. Be sure to check the time in London before you call – it would be very rude to call at 2am in London.
Time is one hour earlier on the last Sunday in March and one hour slower on the last Sunday in October
Step 2. Call using the complete international phone number
When you have gathered the required numbers, call, and wait for a dial tone indicating a good connection. The following example shows the sequence of making phone calls to London, England from New York, USA: (For this example, the local phone number used is 5555-5555) 011-44-20-5555-5555.
If you are calling a cell phone in London, you must dial 011-44-XXXX-555-555. (where XXXX is a non-geographical code like 7939 or 7500)
Step 3. Consider international phone prices
International calls may be very expensive. You may wish to contact your telephone service provider for information on international calling plans. Another option is to buy a prepaid phone card to reduce the cost.
