UK area code
01206 area code — Colchester
01206 is Ofcom’s Colchester numbering area, in Essex, East of England England. 84 phone companies hold its 349 allocated number blocks. Its numbers are written like 01206 234 567. The nearest other codes are 01255 Clacton-on-Sea (20 km) and 01787 Sudbury (21 km).
01206 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- Colchester
- County
- Essex
- Council area
- Essex
- Region
- East of England England
- Number format
- 01206 234 567 (4+6)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 0206)
- Allocated blocks
- 349 of 613 (57%) across 84 providers
- Newest block
- 8 April 2026 (2 in the last 12 months)
Sources: Ofcom numbering data (weekly) and area-code list, Ofcom Numbering Plan, ONS geography.
If a 01206 number called you
No clear pattern in reports for these numbers yet. If a call worried you:
- 1
Call back on a number you trust
If a caller says they're your bank, HMRC, a courier or a council, hang up and ring the organisation on the number from its website or your statement, never the number that called you. Caller ID can be faked.
- 2
Forward it to 7726
On a mobile, copy the caller's number from your recent calls and text it to 7726 (it spells SPAM). Scam texts can be forwarded to 7726 as they are. It's free, and your network uses the reports to investigate and block numbers.
- 3
Stop sales calls
Register your landline and mobile free with the Telephone Preference Service (0345 070 0707). Legitimate UK marketers must check it; calls should drop within 28 days. It won't stop scammers.
- 4
If you lost money or shared details
Call your bank on the number on your card (or 159 to reach most UK banks safely), then report it to Report Fraud online or on 0300 123 2040. Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud on 4 December 2025 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland; in Scotland call Police Scotland on 101.
01206 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 01206 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01206 234 567.
Before 1995: 01206 took its current form at PhONEday on 16 April 1995, when a "1" was inserted into every UK geographic code — before that the area dialled 0206.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 01206 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01206 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 01206 was allocated on 15 July 1994, and the most recent on 8 April 2026. 2 blocks were allocated in the last 12 months — newly-activated ranges with no call history, which is worth knowing when an unfamiliar 01206 number rings (see the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 01206 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 01206, by allocated blocks. The holder is the company Ofcom allocated the block to; a number can since have been ported to another provider (see range holder vs current provider).
| Range holder | Allocated | All blocks | First block | Latest block |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BT | 171 | 171 | 15 July 1994 | 10 November 2021 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 19 | 19 | 11 March 2005 | 8 April 2026 |
| Sky UK Limited | 17 | 17 | 12 June 2013 | 1 November 2021 |
| Vodafone Ltd (C&W) | 11 | 11 | 20 June 2013 | 30 April 2020 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 10 | 10 | 31 August 2011 | 12 February 2019 |
| Barritel Limited | 8 | 8 | 13 June 2014 | 28 November 2022 |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 7 | 7 | 19 April 2017 | 22 December 2023 |
| Colt Technology Services | 5 | 5 | 21 October 2011 | 18 August 2023 |
| TGL Services (UK) Ltd | 5 | 5 | 2 February 2015 | 2 February 2015 |
| Verizon UK Limited | 5 | 5 | 5 November 2004 | 5 November 2004 |
| Virgin Media Limited | 4 | 4 | 15 July 1994 | 13 September 1994 |
| Flextel Limited | 3 | 3 | 27 June 2017 | 27 June 2017 |
| GTT-EMEA LTD | 3 | 3 | 13 October 2021 | 19 October 2021 |
| IOVOX Limited | 3 | 3 | 3 April 2012 | 28 March 2017 |
| Media Hawk Ltd | 3 | 3 | 26 September 2011 | 28 September 2016 |
| Voxbone SA | 3 | 3 | 29 January 2008 | 26 February 2024 |
| Datazero Ltd | 2 | 2 | 2 November 2010 | 8 May 2012 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 2 | 2 | 15 March 2016 | 12 April 2016 |
| Served Up Limited | 2 | 2 | 1 March 2013 | 1 March 2013 |
| Voiceflex Limited | 2 | 2 | 26 July 2007 | 30 January 2020 |
| (AQ) LIMITED | 1 | 1 | 19 October 2011 | 19 October 2011 |
| 8x8 Communications UK Limited | 1 | 1 | 26 March 2012 | 26 March 2012 |
| 8x8 UK Limited | 1 | 1 | 19 February 2010 | 19 February 2010 |
| AQL Wholesale Ltd | 1 | 1 | 29 October 2004 | 29 October 2004 |
| Alnitak GmbH | 1 | 1 | 10 June 2016 | 10 June 2016 |
| Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd | 1 | 1 | 25 February 2009 | 25 February 2009 |
| Belgacom International Carrier Services SA | 1 | 1 | 14 October 2019 | 14 October 2019 |
| Buzz Networks Limited | 1 | 1 | 1 March 2010 | 1 March 2010 |
| Ccpro Solutions Limited | 1 | 1 | 2 August 2010 | 2 August 2010 |
| Citrus Telecommunications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 6 March 2006 | 6 March 2006 |
Showing the 30 largest of 84 holders.
All number blocks on 01206first 200 of 613, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 120600 | Protected | — |
| +44 120601 | Protected | — |
| +44 120602 | Protected | — |
| +44 120603 | Protected | — |
| +44 120604 | Protected | — |
| +44 120605 | Protected | — |
| +44 120606 | Protected | — |
| +44 120607 | Protected | — |
| +44 120608 | Protected | — |
| +44 120609 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206100 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206101 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206102 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206103 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206104 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206105 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206106 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206107 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206108 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206109 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206110 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206111 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206112 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206113 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206114 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206115 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206116 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206117 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206118 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206119 | Protected | — |
| +44 120612 | Protected | — |
| +44 120613 | Protected | — |
| +44 120614 | Protected | — |
| +44 120615 | Protected | — |
| +44 120616 | Protected | — |
| +44 120617 | Protected | — |
| +44 120618 | Protected | — |
| +44 120619 | Protected | — |
| +44 120620 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1206210 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206211 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206212 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206213 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206214 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206215 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206216 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206217 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206218 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206219 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206220 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206221 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206222 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206223 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206224 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206225 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206226 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206227 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206228 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206229 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206230 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206231 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206232 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206233 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206234 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1206235 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206236 | Allocated | Entanet International Ltd |
| +44 1206237 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1206238 | Allocated | Telappliant Limited |
| +44 1206239 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 120624 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206250 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206251 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206252 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206253 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206254 | Allocated | Hyperoptic Ltd |
| +44 1206255 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206256 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206257 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206258 | Allocated | Colt Technology Services |
| +44 1206259 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206260 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206261 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206262 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206263 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206264 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206265 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206266 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206267 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206268 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206269 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206270 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206271 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206272 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206273 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206274 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206275 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206276 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206277 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206278 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206279 | Protected | — |
| +44 120628 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206290 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206291 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206292 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206293 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206294 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206295 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206296 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206297 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206298 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206299 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206300 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206301 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206302 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206303 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206304 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206305 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206306 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206307 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206308 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206309 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206310 | Allocated | Verizon UK Limited |
| +44 1206311 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206312 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206313 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206314 | Allocated | Verizon UK Limited |
| +44 1206315 | Allocated | Verizon UK Limited |
| +44 1206316 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206317 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206318 | Allocated | Verizon UK Limited |
| +44 1206319 | Allocated | Verizon UK Limited |
| +44 1206320 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206321 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206322 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206323 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206324 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206325 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206326 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206327 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206328 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206329 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206330 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206331 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206332 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206333 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206334 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206335 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206336 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206337 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206338 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206339 | Protected | — |
| +44 120634 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1206350 | Allocated | TGL Services (UK) Ltd |
| +44 1206351 | Allocated | TGL Services (UK) Ltd |
| +44 1206352 | Allocated | TGL Services (UK) Ltd |
| +44 1206353 | Allocated | TGL Services (UK) Ltd |
| +44 1206354 | Allocated | TGL Services (UK) Ltd |
| +44 1206355 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1206356 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1206357 | Free | — |
| +44 1206358 | Free | — |
| +44 1206359 | Free | — |
| +44 1206360 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206361 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206362 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206363 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206364 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206365 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206366 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206367 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206368 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206369 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206370 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1206371 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1206372 | Allocated | Redcentric Solutions Limited |
| +44 1206373 | Allocated | TelNG Limited |
| +44 1206374 | Allocated | Localphone Limited |
| +44 1206375 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206376 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206377 | Allocated | Spitfire Network Services Limited |
| +44 1206378 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206379 | Allocated | Resilient Limited |
| +44 1206380 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206381 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206382 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206383 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206384 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206385 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206386 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206387 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206388 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206389 | Protected | — |
| +44 120639 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1206400 | Allocated | GTT-EMEA LTD |
| +44 1206401 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206402 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206403 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206404 | Protected | — |
| +44 1206405 | Allocated | GTT-EMEA LTD |
| +44 1206406 | Protected | — |
Related lookups
- 01255 Clacton-on-Sea20 km away
- 01787 Sudbury21 km away
- 01621 Maldon23 km away
- 01376 Braintree24 km away
- BT171 allocated blocks on 01206
- Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited19 allocated blocks on 01206
- Sky UK Limited17 allocated blocks on 01206
- All UK towns A–ZDialling codes by town
- More Essex codesSame region
- All UK area codesBrowse every 01/02 dialling code
- Lookup any UK numberFree reverse phone lookup
- UK area codes explainedCornerstone guide
- 020 London numbers explainedCornerstone guide
- 0330 numbers explainedCornerstone guide
- How Ofcom allocates UK phone numbersCornerstone guide
FAQs about 01206
Where is area code 01206?
01206 is Ofcom's Colchester numbering area, in Essex, East of England England. Its exchange town is in Essex. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 1206.
Do I need to dial 01206 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 01206 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01206 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 01206 numbers written?
Numbers on 01206 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01206 234 567. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 1206 then the local number.
What was the 01206 area code before?
01206 took its current form at PhONEday on 16 April 1995, when a "1" was inserted into every UK geographic code — before that the area dialled 0206. Old signage or stationery showing 0206 refers to the same Colchester numbers.
Which phone companies hold 01206 numbers?
Ofcom lists 84 providers with allocated blocks on 01206. The largest are BT with 171 of the 349 allocated blocks, Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited with 19 of the 349 allocated blocks and Sky UK Limited with 17 of the 349 allocated blocks. Numbers can be ported, so a number's current provider may differ from the block's holder.
Which area codes are next to 01206?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01255 Clacton-on-Sea (20 km), 01787 Sudbury (21 km), 01621 Maldon (23 km) and 01376 Braintree (24 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 01206 number?
On a mobile, text the caller's number to 7726 (free). If you lost money or shared details, call your bank and report it to Report Fraud (0300 123 2040), which replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. Unwanted sales calls go to the ICO after registering with the Telephone Preference Service.