Update – All 076 numbers have been replaced by 0818 numbers . This took place in December 2021.
All the information below relates to pre December 2021.
For the latest information see this: Calling 0818 Numbers
Since December 1st 2019 the call charges on 076 numbers and other similar “non-geographic” numbers in Ireland – (such as 1850 and 1890) were been simplified and included in all provider’s call bundles.
Since the 1st December 2019 there is a new ‘Geo-Linked’ retail tariff condition for 1850, 1890, 0818 and 076 Non Geographic Number (NGNs).
The cost of calls to 076 numbers,and all the above numbers, are now no more than the cost of calling any other normal landline number.
Since Dec 2019 – If calls to landlines are included in a phone customer’s bundle of ‘call minutes’ then calls to 1850, 1890, 0818 and 076 must also be included in their bundle.
0818 Numbers Replacing 076 Numbers
The use of 0818 numbers will become much more common in Ireland in the future as the 0818 prefix will replace ALL 1890 , 1850 and 076 prefixes. This will be in place by the end of November 2021.
Read more about : 0818 Numbers
076 Prefix
The use of an 076 phone number prefix in the Irish public service became common over the past few years. The 076 prefix was initially rolled out as part of a wider Irish Government initiative to try and reduce call costs for both public bodies and customers. It didn’t work
This 076 prefix was supposed to be a cheaper alternative to the “Lo Call” 1890 and 1850 numbers. The problem with 1890 and 1850 numbers is that the telecoms providers treated them as an out of bundle number.
It was hoped that 076 numbers would be treated differently – but they weren’t.
Up to December 2019 – calls to 076 numbers were usually charged at the same rate as a national landline number. But 076 Calls were not Included in most provider’s Bundles .
Charges for calling an 076 number Before December 2019
- Three – 35c per minute
- Vodafone Mobile – 35c a minute
- Tesco Mobile 35c per minute
- Sky Landline – 2.5c to 6.9c peak plus 9.7c connection fee.
- Virgin Media Landline – 4c per min plus a 20c connection fee.
- Eir (com) Landline – ranges from 3c to 9c per minute depending on time of day.