Kiwi_g wrote on Oct 14
th, 2009 at 4:13pm:
Just tried to renew my European Insurance Card (previously E111) on line. Sadly, the message is that on-line renewals cannot be processed at present. Two phone numbers are given - 0845 606 2030 and +44 191 212 7500. I tried the latter (did not prefix it with 141) and I received the message that if I was calling from the UK I was using an unofficial number and should call using the 0845 number as I may find it more expensive calling the "unofficial" number.
I'd like to know where this information comes from.
Two quick points to make:
The 141 prefix does not withhold the "location data" that may be used to identify the
source of the call - this does NOT include all the digits of the full number. It simply enables calls to be routed (or handled) according to the geographic area one is calling from.
For some callers, e.g. those on BT call plans outside the time when inclusive calls are in effect, calls to 01/02/03 numbers are indeed more expensive than 0845 (and now all 0844) numbers. "In general" the reverse is true.