Virtual landline number vs mobile number
Both can ring your phone. The difference is the type of number — and for a caller paying per minute, such as a prisoner, that decides the price.
| Virtual landline number (e.g. BluePhone) | Mobile number | |
|---|---|---|
| Number type | UK geographic, 01/02 | UK mobile, 07 |
| Prison call-credit rate (E&W public sector, weekday) | 2.48p/min | 5.5p/min |
| How calls arrive | Over the internet, in an app (BluePhone) | Over the mobile network |
| What you need | A smartphone, the app and an internet connection | A SIM or eSIM and mobile signal |
| Outgoing calls | Not with BluePhone | Yes |
| Extra cost | BluePhone subscription (£15/month) | Your existing mobile plan |
A virtual landline number does not replace your mobile. It is an extra number for a specific purpose — here, receiving prison calls at the landline rate.
Questions
Why is it cheaper for a prisoner to call a landline number?
The prison tariff charges less per minute for calls to UK geographic landline numbers than to mobiles: 2.48p against 5.5p on weekdays in public-sector prisons in England and Wales.
Do I need a second SIM for BluePhone?
No. BluePhone works through an app, so no SIM or eSIM is needed.
Related guides
Get your own UK number
£15/month or £149/year. iPhone and Android. No eSIM required. Incoming calls only. The prison decides whether to approve the number.
