HMPPS PRICING EXPLAINED

Why Prison Calls to Mobiles Cost More Than Landlines

UK prison phone calls are priced differently depending on whether the recipient has a mobile or landline number. The difference is significant — and it affects how much credit a prisoner needs to speak with their family.

HMPPS Pricing Structure

His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) operates the telephone system in English and Welsh prisons through a contracted provider. Rates are set by HMPPS and apply uniformly across the prison estate.

There are two distinct rate bands:

Official Rates (HMPPS 2025 Data)

Day typeTo mobile (07)To landline (01/02)Saving
Weekday5.5p/min2.47p/min55% cheaper
Weekend3.6p/min2.2p/min39% cheaper

Source: HMPPS 2025 prison telephone tariff. A minimum charge of 10p applies per call. Rates may vary slightly in Scottish prisons, which operate under a separate system (SPS).

Why the Difference Exists

The rate difference reflects the underlying economics of the UK telephone network. When a call is placed to a mobile number, the originating carrier must pay a mobile termination rate (MTR) to the recipient's mobile network. These rates are regulated but still higher than the equivalent fixed termination rate (FTR) charged by landline providers.

HMPPS's contracted telephony provider passes on this cost difference by charging prisoners more per minute for calls to mobiles than to landlines. The prisoner pays from their PIN credit account — so higher rates mean more credit consumed per call.

How a Virtual Landline Number Solves This

A UK virtual landline number (01/02 prefix) is treated by the prison telephone system as a standard geographic landline, regardless of whether it is a physical copper line or a VoIP number delivered to a smartphone app. The 01/02 prefix is what determines the rate — not the technology behind it.

This means that if a family member obtains a UK virtual 01/02 number and gives it to the prisoner, calls from the prison will be charged at the cheaper landline rate — reducing the credit consumed per minute by over 55% on weekdays.

Options for Families

Several types of service can provide a UK 01/02 number to receive prison calls:

BluePhone is one option in this category. It is not the cheapest, but it is designed to work for families anywhere in the world with minimal technical knowledge. See the provider comparison for alternatives.

Get a UK landline number to reduce prison call costs

BluePhone — £15/month · Unlimited incoming calls · Works anywhere

Get Started at bluephone.co.uk →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do prison calls to mobiles cost more than to landlines?

›
HMPPS sets two separate rate bands: one for calls to UK geographic landlines (01/02 numbers) and a higher rate for calls to mobile numbers (07). The difference reflects the underlying cost structure of the telephone network — mobile termination rates are higher than landline termination rates — and HMPPS passes this difference on to prisoners.

What are the official HMPPS prison call rates in 2025?

›
HMPPS 2025 rates: weekday calls to a mobile cost 5.5p per minute; weekday calls to a UK landline cost 2.47p per minute. Weekend rates are lower: mobile 3.6p/min, landline 2.2p/min. A 10p minimum charge applies per call.

Do virtual landline numbers get the cheaper landline rate from prison?

›
Yes. A UK geographic number (01/02 prefix) — whether it is a physical landline or a virtual VoIP number — receives calls at the landline rate. The prison telephone system does not distinguish between a physical line and a virtual number. The 01/02 prefix is what determines the rate.

Who pays for prison phone calls — the prisoner or the family?

›
The prisoner pays for outgoing calls using credit on their PIN account. Credit can be bought by the prisoner from their earnings or sent by family via the approved credit top-up system. Families who receive the call pay nothing for the incoming call itself, though they may pay a subscription fee for a virtual number service.