What is a VoIP landline number?
A VoIP (voice over internet protocol) landline number is a UK geographic number — starting 01 or 02 — whose calls reach you over the internet rather than a copper line into a building.
Three kinds of UK number
| Physical landline | VoIP landline number | Mobile number | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starts with | 01 / 02 | 01 / 02 | 07 |
| Tied to an address | Yes | No | No |
| Answered on | A home phone | An app, internet phone or forwarded device | A mobile phone |
| Prison weekday rate (E&W) | 2.48p/min | 2.48p/min | 5.5p/min |
Why the number type matters for prison calls
Prison call credit in public-sector prisons in England and Wales is charged by the type of number called. A geographic 01/02 number is charged at the landline rate, whether it is a physical line or a VoIP number.
BluePhone
A BluePhone number is a VoIP landline number answered in the BluePhone app on iPhone or Android. It receives calls only, and it is not forwarded to another number.
- Your loved one calls from prisonThey dial your BluePhone number from the prison phone, once it is on their approved list.
- Your own UK 01/02 numberA geographic landline-style number, assigned only to your account.
- BluePhoneFinds the account the number belongs to and rings that account’s app.
- The BluePhone app ringsOver Wi-Fi or mobile data. You answer like a normal call.
No second mobile or landline telephone number is used as a forwarding destination.
Questions
Is a VoIP number the same as a landline?
It uses the same kind of number (01 or 02) and callers are charged as for a landline, but calls are carried over the internet rather than a physical line.
Do I need a landline to have a VoIP landline number?
No. With BluePhone you need a smartphone with the app and an internet connection.
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.
