Those who have had a mobile phone for a long time may remember 010 numbers as part of an old system, but that is no longer the case. Now the number is used instead for non-geographic calls, without specific area codes for different regions. 010 numbers today are often associated with Swedish authorities or companies. 010 numbers are widely used in business telephony.
A few years ago, Sweden started using telephone numbers starting with 010 again, which are not linked to a specific area code. Previously, such numbers were mainly used within the NMT system (Nordic Mobile Telephony), but today the numbers are reused by larger companies and authorities with offices in multiple locations.
010 numbers are advantageous for companies and authorities that operate nationwide because it eliminates the need for each office to have different area codes based on its location in Sweden. Additionally, an employee who has a work phone with this type of number can retain the same phone number even if the person moves to another part of the country.
Previously, 010 numbers were used within the NMT system, but since they are now used by companies and authorities, subscribers who still have such a number will be offered a new type of mobile phone. Their old 010 number will be inactive for about a year before it can be used by a company or authority.
If we go even further back in history, 010 numbers were actually an area code, even though today they are completely independent of geographical location. Before 1964, dialing area code 010 would connect you to the Stockholm region, but today you're most likely to reach a government or corporate switchboard.
With the newer system for 010 numbers, an employee can get their number when they start working at a specific office, and then take that number with them if they switch to another office. This new way of using 010 numbers is called having a "nomadic phone".
So what is the difference between regular area codes and 010 numbers? Area codes are numerical sequences used across Sweden to distinguish areas where the call originates. They are national destination codes. However, these divisions align with municipal boundaries, oddly enough. For example, 011 is the area code for Norrköping. This way, you can know where in our elongated country the call is coming from.
020 numbers, on the other hand, are a series of numbers for toll-free calls. 020 numbers often connect to various support functions at companies. Originally, the 010 number was the area code for Stockholm. However, this was before 1964. Now, instead, the 010 number is a non-geographic number. Something that suits companies with offices or operations throughout Sweden.
NMT was an analog and wireless mobile telephony technology used until 2007 when it was phased out in favor of other technologies. It is often referred to as the first generation of mobile telephony and was first used in 1981. The year 2007 marked a transitional period where a 010 number could still originate from an NMT system.
Since the old NMT system was not completely phased out, private individuals could still use their 010 numbers. However, gradually all usage shifted from private individuals to authorities and companies, so for a year such numbers could come from private individuals, companies, or authorities – it was impossible to know.
010 numbers can be compared to 077 numbers, used by some banks and authorities, often leading to a switchboard. 010 numbers are not currently in use by private individuals. This means that many Swedes now know that 010 numbers come from authorities or companies, and not from just any mobile phone.
Are you considering getting a 010 number for your business or do you have more questions and concerns about the topic? Contact us today and our knowledgeable advisors will assist you further. You can either call us at our own 010 number: 010-410 50 00 or fill out the form on our contact page and we will reach out to you instead.