[colbee]

Thanks soneil & Paul M. My view is that anything above ordinary landline standard rates is being charged at a premium. My figures may be a little out of date but my information (from a national press publication) is as follows: (from a BT landline)

0845 - 3p per minute peak; 1p per minute off-peak. Recipient (company you are calling) pays 2p per minute.
0870 - 8p per minute peak; 4p per minute off-peak. Recipient earns 2-3p per minute.
0871 - 11.7p per minute any time. Recipient earns 3p per minute.
090 - 10p to £1.50 per minute. Recipient earns up to 97p per minute.
Sorry to have rambled on a bit, but you can see how the 'cheaper' premium rates can mount up when you are being diverted between interminable options or simply being kept on hold while being serenaded.