Calls to so called “Premium rate services” typically offer information and entertainment such as chatlines, games , voting lines, ringtones, competitions and adult services. A lot of charities also use them as an easy way to raise money.
In Ireland all premium rate numbers begin with “15” – so be aware that when dialling any number starting with 15 – that in some cases the call could end up costing you quite a lot of money. (€3.50 a minute in the worst case)
Here is a list of the premium rate call charges for some of the main mobile providers in Ireland as well as the charges from an Eir landline. (Checked March 2017)
| Number Prefix | “3” | Meteor | Eir | Vodafone Mobile Billpay |
Tesco |
| 1512 (per call) | 45c | 50c | 25c | 39c | 50c |
| 1513 (per call) | 70c | 70c | 61c | 70c | 70c |
| 1514 (per call) | 90c | 90c | 76c | 90c | 90c |
| 1515 (per call) | 1.20 | 1.20 | 1.01 | 1.20 | 1.320 |
| 1516 (per call) | 1.80 | 1.80 | 1.52 | 1.80 | 1.80 |
| 1517 (per call) | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.03 | 2.50 | 2.50 |
| 1518 (per call) | 3.50 | 3.50 | 3.05 | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| 1520 (per min) |
30c | 30c | 15c | 25c | 30c |
| 1530 (per min) |
50c | 56c | 33c | 50c | 50c |
| 1540(per min) |
70c | 70c | 61c | 70c | 70c |
| 1550 (per min) |
1.20 | 1.610 | 97c | 1.20 | 1.20 |
| 1560 (per min) |
1.20 | 1.80 | €1.27 | €1.69 | 1.80 |
| 1570 (per min) |
2.40 | 2.40 | €1.78 | 2.19 | 2.40 |
| 1580 (per min) |
2.95 | 2.95 | 2.44 | 2.95 | 2.95 |
| 1590 (per min) |
3.50 | 3.50 | 2.95 | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| 1598 (per min) |
3.50 | 3.50 | 2.03 | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| 1599 (per min) |
3.50 | 3.50 | 3.05 | 3.50 | 3.50 |
Most phone companies charge the same rates for these Premium Rate numbers.
Premium Rates Texts: Sending or receiving a text from a premium rate service (for example, to enter a competition or cast a vote) will usually cost more than a normal text message.
Excellent. Shouldn’t Comreg be publishing this!
What about Vodafone?
Thanks Tony. We have now replaced Tesco with Vodafone in the list – probably more people use Vodafone.