Last Updated on March 22, 2025
When you’re searching for a phone number for your business, it can sometimes feel like there are too many choices out there.
Since virtual phone numbers became much more popular than standard landlines, questions like “What’s the Difference Between 0203 and 0207 Numbers?” Are being asked by more and more small business owners and freelancers.
Luckily, Air Landline provides a wide range of business phones and virtual phone services, so we’re here to answer your questions.
What is the difference between 0203 and 0207 London Number?
Essentially, there’s no material difference between the two numbers. They’re both allocated to the Greater London area code with the prefix.
However, due to the fact that the 0203 prefix was introduced earlier than the latter, some perceive the 0203 number to be more prestigious.
Is 0207 or 0203 a premium number?
No, neither is a premium number, which is a telephone number that is charged at a premium rate by telecom suppliers.
Both 0203 and 0207 numbers are classed as, and charged as, local rate numbers associated with the London area.
Brief history of the 2 London numbers (0203 & 0207)
When London was unified under one area code for the city in 2000, it was originally the 0203 prefix that was allocated to replace the 0171/0181 split.
The 0203 number has long been associated with inner and Central and with more prestige.
In 2005, the extra prefix was added due to demand and is functionally exactly the same and covers the same area.
Cost to call 0203 and 0207 London numbers from Mobile and Landline
There can sometimes be some confusion around exactly how much customers pay to call these numbers as they’re relatively modern, so we’ve broken it down for you:
Mobile
Calls to local rate numbers will depend on your network and the package you’re on.
However, the vast majority of mobile providers now include local rate calls within your inclusive minutes bundle, so these calls rarely cost any extra on top of your tariff.
Landline
Similarly to mobile deals, these are usually included within a minutes package, however, due to a sharp drop in popularity with traditional landlines, many providers no longer provide minutes packages as standard, and you need to add them with your provider.
Local rate calls outside of tariffs usually cost around 15p per minute, but this varies.
Benefits of 0203 & 0207 London Numbers
There are a number of benefits if you’re considering taking out either a 0203 or 0207 number with Air Landline:
Benefit 1: Professional London Presence
Having a London number instantly gives your business a professional edge, regardless of your actual location.
A virtual London number allows you to maintain a prestigious city presence without the overheads of a physical London office.
Benefit 2: Geographic Flexibility
With a virtual 0203 or 0207 number, you can operate from anywhere while maintaining a London identity.
Calls can be forwarded to your mobile, enabling you to answer business calls professionally whether you’re at home, in a co-working space, or travelling.
Benefit 3: Cost-Effective Solution
Virtual London numbers offer significant cost savings compared to traditional business phone systems.
With Air Landline, you can create an account in under 3 minutes with just your name and email address.
We offer a completely free 7-day trial, and from there, it’s just £9.99 + VAT per month.
Benefit 4: Enhanced Customer Trust
UK customers generally trust and prefer to call and be called by local numbers rather than mobile or premium rate numbers.
Having a 0203 or 0207 number can increase customer confidence and call rates, particularly when dealing with London-based clients who recognise these as legitimate local numbers.
Benefit 5: Scalable Communication Solutions
As your business grows, your virtual phone system can easily scale with you.
Add additional numbers, extensions, or features without the disruption or costs associated with traditional phone systems.
What is the difference between 0203 and 0208?
Similar to the relationship between the 0203 and 0207 numbers, there is no functional difference between the 0203 and 0208 numbers.
Both are part of the Greater London 020 area code system. The 0208 prefix was originally associated with outer London areas when the city’s phone system was split between inner (0171) and outer (0181) London before 2000.
When the unified 020 system was introduced, 0207 initially replaced 0171 (inner London) and 0208 replaced 0181 (outer London).
However, this geographical distinction has become largely meaningless as numbers are now allocated based on availability rather than location.
Today, a 0203, 0207, or 0208 number can be used by any business in London regardless of their physical location, especially when using virtual phone systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
We help thousands of customers obtain the virtual phone numbers they need to establish and grow their business, but they often have questions, so here are some of the most frequent:
Summary – Difference between 0203 and 0207 numbers
0203 and 0207 numbers are both London area codes with identical functionality and call rates, though 0203 is sometimes perceived as more prestigious.
These virtual numbers offer businesses five key benefits: establishing a professional London presence without a physical office, allowing geographic flexibility to work from anywhere, providing cost-effective telecommunications solutions, enhancing customer trust through local recognition, and offering scalable communication as your business grows.
Ready to boost your business with a prestigious London number?
Sign up for Air Landline’s 7-day free trial today and experience professional business communication for an incredible price.