09, 01 to 05, 08 or short number: which phone number should your business choose in France?

The numbering plan managed by Arcep is based on ten-digit numbers divided into broad categories: 01 to 05 numbers, historically geographical and now classified by Arcep among “multi-purpose numbers” with no geographical location constraint; 06 and 07 numbers, for mobiles; 09 numbers, “multi-purpose numbers”; 08 numbers, intended for value-added services; and short numbers: four-digit numbers beginning with 30, 31, 32, 34, 36 or 39 (Arcep calls them 3BPQ), operator assistance numbers beginning with 10 and directory enquiry numbers beginning with 118.

The distinction between geographical and non-geographical has faded. Arcep Decision No. 2019-0954 provided for a two-stage relaxation: since 1 January 2023, the geographical constraints on 01 to 05 numbers have been aligned with those on mobile and 09 numbers, and any landline number can be used throughout the same territory (mainland France, or each of the overseas territories). A 05 number therefore no longer necessarily indicates a business in south-west France.

Numbers beginning with 01 to 05, 06, 07 and 09 are not among the premium-rate ranges listed by Arcep: their cost to the caller depends on the caller’s phone plan. 08 numbers, for their part, fall into three families. 0800 to 0805 numbers are free for the caller. 0806 to 0809 numbers are “standard-rate”: the call is charged normally and the service is free.

081, 082 and 089 numbers are premium-rate: a capped service charge is added to the call, at most €0.05 per minute or €0.125 per call for 081 numbers, €0.417 per call for 082 numbers (a per-minute cap also applies), and €0.667 per minute or €2.50 per call for 089 numbers. Short numbers 30PQ and 31PQ are free; other 3BPQ short numbers may be standard-rate or premium-rate, up to €0.667 per minute or €2.50 per call. These amounts exclude tax: the price billed depends on the applicable VAT.

To help callers, operators and service providers have developed a pricing colour code, presented by Arcep: green for free numbers, grey for standard-rate numbers and purple for premium-rate numbers. Arcep also points out that a business may not use a premium-rate number to take calls from a consumer seeking proper performance of a contract or the handling of a complaint.

An 09 number suits a business that wants a landline number with no regional anchor, for example when it works remotely, across several cities or over internet telephony. An 01 to 05 number keeps a local connotation that some customers appreciate, without any longer requiring you to be based in the corresponding area within mainland France.

An 0806 to 0809 number conveys the image of a national service number while remaining standard-rate for the caller. An 0800 to 0805 number means you pay for the call: it’s justified when removing every barrier to calling matters more than the bill. Finally, premium-rate numbers make your customers pay for a service, which can put them off calling for a simple question or to book an appointment.

If your business makes calls through an automated system, most numbers cannot be used as caller ID: since 1 August 2019, Arcep has banned the use of mobile numbers by automated systems that make more calls or send more messages than they receive, and since 1 January 2023 the ban has also covered, except in specific cases, most 01 to 05 and 09 numbers.

For calls made by an automated calling and messaging system, the numbering plan reserves “verified multi-purpose numbers”, beginning with 0162, 0163, 02688, 02689, 0270, 0271, 0377, 0378, 0424, 0425, 0568, 0569, 05987, 05988, 05989, 09475 to 09479, 0948 and 0949, which can be used as caller ID provided the operator checks that their display has been authorised by their assignee. A voice agent that makes outbound calls may fall into this category: have the type of number validated with your operator.

Since the French law of 24 July 2020, Article L44 of the French Post and Electronic Communications Code has required operators to check that their customers are indeed assigned the number displayed, or have the assignee’s agreement, and to cut off calls whose authenticity cannot be confirmed (provisions in force since 25 July 2023). And when it comes to cold calling a consumer, Article L221-17 of the French Consumer Code prohibits withheld numbers and requires the number displayed to be assigned to the business.

Number porting lets you keep a landline or mobile number when you change operator, within the same territory. According to Arcep’s practical guide, you simply call 3179 from the line concerned to obtain its RIO (relevé d’identité opérateur, the porting code), sent by text message, email or, for landlines only, by post, then deal only with the new operator, which takes care of cancelling with the old one. To keep an 01 to 05 number when you move, Arcep specifies that operators remain free to accept the request or not: check before signing up.

Porting takes at least three working days, service is maintained until the switch, and the interruption between the old and new operator must not exceed four hours. The old operator cannot charge for porting, but it can claim any sums still owed under a minimum-term contract. For several lines or a business phone system, have both operators spell out the arrangements before starting the porting process.

Whichever number you choose, Alyas, an AI voice agent, answers your business’s calls and can also make outbound service calls, set up with our assistance: confirming appointments, following up on files, calling customers back. The caller ID to use for these calls is chosen with your operator, in line with the rules set out above.