Originally Posted by four_two
I think the 0845 numbers are just local rate.
I think that the point is that a local call to a local number is often included in whatever contract rate you're paying (whether landline or mobile), whereas a call to an 0845 is often chargeable even though it is supposedly "local rate".
The same goes for 0870 numbers. Many mobile rate plans include geographic landline numbers anywhere in the UK, so you don't pay extra. But phone an 0870 and you're paying for the call, even though it is theoretically "national rate".