Telephones
1. Using the Telephone
- You can telephone most overseas destinations directly. If you need advice you should ring the relevant International Direct Dialling Operator.
- Most public telephones require payment before dialling. Some pay telephones on private premises (public houses, hotels for example) can be more expensive to use than public telephones.
- Some public telephones operate by using coins (minimum charge 20 pence) and some use pre-paid cards. Cards are more convenient for longer calls. Post Offices and many shops sell phone cards.
- The international code for dialling the UK from overseas is +44 (0) (the + being the International Access Code, usually 00). If you are being called in Sheffield from overseas the caller should dial +44 (0)114 then the local number here in Sheffield. For example if your number was 0114 234 5678 overseas callers should dial +44 (0)114 234 5678.
- If calling another Sheffield number from within Sheffield there is no need to dial 0114 before the local number.
- Not all payphones receive incoming calls.
- All calls from payphones are charged by the minute.
2. Pre-Paid Calling Cards
Many companies provide pre-paid cards or schemes that can save money on international (and other long distance) calls from private or public pay telephones. Note that although such schemes can be used from phones on the University´s network, NETnet are likely to make a charge in addition to that which the scheme provider will make.
3. Mobile Telephones
- It is very easy, and relatively cheap to buy a mobile telephone in the UK.
- Making calls to or from a mobile can be very expensive compared to fixed lines.
- Both pre-paid and billed systems are available.
- Mobile phones must be turned off before entering hospitals, libraries, lectures, exams etc.
- It is considered impolite to receive or make calls while in someone else’s home or office.
- Dial 0114 if calling a Sheffield number from a mobile phone.