Belgian Institute for Postal services and Telecommunications

Attention: calls to certain “special” numbers cost more than calls to “normal” numbers.

For certain phone or SMS numbers a premium charge applies. These are numbers that give access to specific information services, game or entertainment services, adult content of an erotic or sexual nature, and so on.

For calls to phone numbers of the 070 type or in the 0900 series or texts to short numbers, a premium charge may apply. The premium charge may lead to extremely high call charges. Beware!

You can ask your operator to block, free of charge, access to such premium numbers.

Should you experience troubles with using premium numbers, you can always turn to your operator.

Below you will find a table containing the types of numbers and maximum rates that can be charged to use these numbers.

Premium phone numbers and maximum rates:

070        € 0.30/min.

0900        € 0.50/min.

0901      € 0.50/call

0902        € 1/min.

0903        € 1.50/min.

0904        € 2/min.

0905      € 2/call

0906        € 1/min.

0907        € 2/min.

0909      flexible (per minute and/or call) but max. € 31 per communication.

Premium short numbers for sending or receiving SMS messages:

2000 to 2999 € 1 for 1 SMS sent and/or 1 SMS received

3000 to 3999 € 4 for 1 SMS sent and/or 1 SMS received

4000 to 4999 € 31 for 1 SMS sent and/or 1 SMS received

5000 to 5999 € 0.5 for 1 SMS sent and/or 1 SMS received

6000 to 6999 € 2 for 1 SMS sent and/or 1 SMS received

7000 to 7999 € 4 for 1 SMS sent and/or 1 SMS received

9000 to 9499 € 2 per message for the subscription and per message received

9500 to 9999 € 2 per message for the subscription and per message receivedFraudulent SMS or calls

The purpose of a fraudulent SMS or call is, via a vague message or a dropped call, to have you call a premium rate number in Belgium or abroad.

For instance, if you receive an SMS from an unknown number with a message such as:

"Hi, it's been a long time since you have called me. I'd like to hear from you. Call me back." 

Or, although you have not participated in any contest:

"Congratulations. Your number has been selected and you have won a prize/€ 3000. Call us back to know how to collect your prize!" 

Beware! Do not call back!

If your phone rings once or twice and the call seems to be dropped, do not use the call-back function of your phone before having checked if the call originated from a person you know.

If you do not know the number, check its structure before calling it back or do not call back. 

Short numbers for SMS or MMS have 4 digits. These numbers are premium rate numbers.

They vary according to their first digit.

Short numbers beginning with 4 can cost up to € 31 per message received or sent. 

Short numbers beginning with 7 or 3 can cost up to € 4 per message received or sent.

Short numbers beginning with 6 or 9 can cost up to € 2 per message received or sent.

For more information, see https://www.ibpt.be/en/consumers/telephone/numbering/short-numbers

Belgian fixed numbers have 9 digits and begin with only one 0. 

Attention: the numbers beginning with 070 or 0901, 0902, … 0909 are premium rate numbers. For more information, see (only available in French or Dutch) : http://www.telethicom.be/fr/infos-sur-des-num%C3%A9ros-payants

Belgian mobile numbers have 10 digits and are part of the following number series: 046xxxxxxx, 047xxxxxxx, 048xxxxxxx, 049xxxxxxx. 

If you are requested to call a number starting with + or 00, you are requested to call a number abroad. Be careful! This number could be surcharged beyond the price of an international call. 

In case of a problem, you can contact your operator.

To file a complaint, you can use the following website: https://meldpunt.belgie.be/meldpunt/en/welcome.