UK area code
01279 area code — Bishop's Stortford
01279 is Ofcom’s Bishops Stortford numbering area, in Hertfordshire, East of England England. 103 phone companies hold its 218 allocated number blocks. Its numbers are written like 01279 234 567. The nearest other codes are 01371 Great Dunmow (14 km) and 01920 Ware (15 km).
01279 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- Bishops Stortford
- County
- Hertfordshire
- Council area
- Hertfordshire
- Region
- East of England England
- Number format
- 01279 234 567 (4+6)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 0279)
- Allocated blocks
- 218 of 379 (58%) across 103 providers
- Newest block
- 17 March 2026 (3 in the last 12 months)
Sources: Ofcom numbering data (weekly) and area-code list, Ofcom Numbering Plan, ONS geography.
If a 01279 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.
01279 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 01279 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01279 234 567.
Before 1995: 01279 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 0279.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 01279 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01279 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 01279 was allocated on 15 July 1994, and the most recent on 17 March 2026. 3 blocks were allocated in the last 12 months — newly-activated ranges with no call history, which is worth knowing when an unfamiliar 01279 number rings (see the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 01279 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 01279, 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 | 35 | 35 | 15 July 1994 | 19 February 2024 |
| Vodafone Ltd (C&W) | 17 | 17 | 25 July 2013 | 17 November 2021 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 15 | 15 | 5 April 2004 | 9 April 2025 |
| Magrathea Telecommunications Limited | 8 | 8 | 16 November 2011 | 16 November 2011 |
| Lumen Technologies UK Limited | 7 | 7 | 25 July 2011 | 25 July 2011 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 7 | 7 | 31 August 2011 | 21 November 2018 |
| Virgin Media Limited | 7 | 7 | 15 July 1994 | 20 June 2012 |
| Colt Technology Services | 5 | 5 | 12 September 2013 | 5 July 2022 |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 4 | 4 | 20 April 2017 | 20 December 2023 |
| Sky UK Limited | 4 | 4 | 28 June 2013 | 22 September 2021 |
| Barritel Limited | 3 | 3 | 8 October 2008 | 23 December 2022 |
| Daisy Communications Ltd | 3 | 3 | 14 December 2011 | 14 December 2011 |
| Voxbone SA | 3 | 3 | 17 December 2007 | 17 March 2026 |
| Datazero Ltd | 2 | 2 | 18 November 2010 | 29 April 2019 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 2 | 2 | 30 November 2007 | 15 March 2016 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 2 | 2 | 3 July 2017 | 22 January 2024 |
| GTT-EMEA LTD | 2 | 2 | 14 October 2021 | 14 October 2021 |
| IOVOX Limited | 2 | 2 | 2 July 2012 | 23 December 2016 |
| Resilient Limited | 2 | 2 | 9 September 2011 | 9 September 2011 |
| Served Up Limited | 2 | 2 | 1 March 2013 | 1 March 2013 |
| Six Degrees Technology Group Limited | 2 | 2 | 10 January 2020 | 10 January 2020 |
| VoiceHost Limited | 2 | 2 | 22 June 2010 | 22 June 2010 |
| Voiceflex Limited | 2 | 2 | 4 September 2007 | 18 April 2023 |
| (AQ) LIMITED | 1 | 1 | 19 October 2011 | 19 October 2011 |
| 8x8 Communications UK Limited | 1 | 1 | 26 March 2012 | 26 March 2012 |
| AQL Wholesale Ltd | 1 | 1 | 1 November 2004 | 1 November 2004 |
| Adepteo Limited | 1 | 1 | 17 January 2017 | 17 January 2017 |
| Alnitak GmbH | 1 | 1 | 26 October 2016 | 26 October 2016 |
| Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd | 1 | 1 | 2 March 2009 | 2 March 2009 |
| Atomstream Limited | 1 | 1 | 25 February 2010 | 25 February 2010 |
Showing the 30 largest of 103 holders.
All number blocks on 01279first 200 of 379, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 127900 | Protected | — |
| +44 127901 | Protected | — |
| +44 127902 | Protected | — |
| +44 127903 | Protected | — |
| +44 127904 | Protected | — |
| +44 127905 | Protected | — |
| +44 127906 | Protected | — |
| +44 127907 | Protected | — |
| +44 127908 | Protected | — |
| +44 127909 | Protected | — |
| +44 127910 | Protected | — |
| +44 127911 | Protected | — |
| +44 127912 | Protected | — |
| +44 127913 | Protected | — |
| +44 127914 | Protected | — |
| +44 127915 | Protected | — |
| +44 127916 | Protected | — |
| +44 127917 | Protected | — |
| +44 127918 | Protected | — |
| +44 127919 | Protected | — |
| +44 127920 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 127921 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1279220 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279221 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279222 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279223 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279224 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279225 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279226 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279227 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279228 | Allocated | Virgin Media Limited |
| +44 1279229 | Allocated | Virgin Media Limited |
| +44 1279230 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1279231 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1279232 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1279233 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1279234 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279235 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279236 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1279237 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279238 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1279239 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1279240 | Allocated | Linear Telecoms Limited |
| +44 1279241 | Allocated | Internexus Networks Limited |
| +44 1279242 | Allocated | Minotaur Telecom Limited |
| +44 1279243 | Allocated | 8x8 Communications UK Limited |
| +44 1279244 | Allocated | ICC Networks Ltd |
| +44 1279245 | Allocated | Ziron Limited |
| +44 1279246 | Allocated | IOVOX Limited |
| +44 1279247 | Allocated | Datazero Ltd |
| +44 1279248 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1279249 | Allocated | Bicom Systems EURL |
| +44 1279250 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1279251 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279252 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279253 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279254 | Allocated | Six Degrees Technology Group Limited |
| +44 1279255 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279256 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279257 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279258 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279259 | Protected | — |
| +44 127926 | Allocated | AQL Wholesale Ltd |
| +44 127927 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1279280 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279281 | Allocated | Daisy Communications Ltd |
| +44 1279282 | Allocated | Daisy Communications Ltd |
| +44 1279283 | Allocated | Daisy Communications Ltd |
| +44 1279284 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279285 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279286 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279287 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279288 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279289 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279290 | Allocated | Content Guru Limited |
| +44 1279291 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1279292 | Allocated | Media Hawk Ltd |
| +44 1279293 | Allocated | Kalnet4U Ltd |
| +44 1279294 | Allocated | Liquid 11 Limited |
| +44 1279295 | Allocated | Simwood eSMS Limited |
| +44 1279296 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 1279297 | Allocated | Colt Technology Services |
| +44 1279298 | Allocated | XoverX Ltd |
| +44 1279299 | Protected | — |
| +44 127930 | Allocated | Virgin Media Limited |
| +44 127931 | Allocated | Virgin Media Limited |
| +44 127932 | Allocated | Virgin Media Limited |
| +44 1279330 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1279331 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1279332 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279333 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1279334 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1279335 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279336 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1279337 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279338 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 1279339 | Allocated | Lumen Technologies UK Limited |
| +44 127934 | Allocated | Redcentric Solutions Limited |
| +44 1279350 | Allocated | Digitech Solutions Global Limited |
| +44 1279351 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1279352 | Allocated | EVE CONNECT LTD |
| +44 1279353 | Allocated | IP Voice Networks Ltd |
| +44 1279354 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1279355 | Allocated | Invosys Limited |
| +44 1279356 | Allocated | NFON UK Ltd |
| +44 1279357 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1279358 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1279359 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 127936 | Allocated | TGL Services (UK) Ltd |
| +44 1279370 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1279371 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1279372 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1279373 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1279374 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1279375 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1279376 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1279377 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279378 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279379 | Protected | — |
| +44 127938 | Allocated | Syntec Limited |
| +44 1279390 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279391 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279392 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279393 | Allocated | Served Up Limited |
| +44 1279394 | Allocated | Served Up Limited |
| +44 1279395 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279396 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279397 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279398 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279399 | Protected | — |
| +44 127940 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 127941 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 127942 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 127943 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 127944 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 127945 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 127946 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 127947 | Allocated | Citrus Telecommunications Ltd |
| +44 1279480 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279481 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279482 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279483 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279484 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279485 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279486 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279487 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279488 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279489 | Protected | — |
| +44 127949 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 127950 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 127951 | Allocated | TTNC Limited |
| +44 1279520 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279521 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279522 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279523 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279524 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279525 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279526 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279527 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279528 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279529 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279530 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279531 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279532 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279533 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279534 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279535 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279536 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279537 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279538 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279539 | Protected | — |
| +44 127954 | Protected | — |
| +44 127955 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1279560 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279561 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279562 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279563 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279564 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279565 | Allocated | GTT-EMEA LTD |
| +44 1279566 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279567 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279568 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279569 | Allocated | GTT-EMEA LTD |
| +44 127957 | Allocated | Flextel Limited |
| +44 127958 | Allocated | TelNG Limited |
| +44 1279590 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279591 | Allocated | DRD Communications Limited |
| +44 1279592 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279593 | Allocated | Orange Business Holdings UK Limited |
| +44 1279594 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1279595 | Protected | — |
| +44 1279596 | Allocated | VOXYONDER NETWORK SERVICES UK LTD |
| +44 1279597 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1279598 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1279599 | Free | — |
| +44 127960 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 127961 | Allocated | Localphone Limited |
| +44 127962 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 127963 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 127964 | Allocated | BT |
Related lookups
- 01371 Great Dunmow14 km away
- 01920 Ware15 km away
- 01992 Lea Valley18 km away
- 01799 Saffron Walden18 km away
- BT35 allocated blocks on 01279
- Vodafone Ltd (C&W)17 allocated blocks on 01279
- Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited15 allocated blocks on 01279
- All UK towns A–ZDialling codes by town
- More Hertfordshire 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 01279
Where is area code 01279?
01279 is Ofcom's Bishops Stortford numbering area, in Hertfordshire, East of England England. Its exchange town is in Hertfordshire. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 1279.
Do I need to dial 01279 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 01279 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01279 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 01279 numbers written?
Numbers on 01279 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01279 234 567. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 1279 then the local number.
What was the 01279 area code before?
01279 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 0279. Old signage or stationery showing 0279 refers to the same Bishop's Stortford numbers.
Which phone companies hold 01279 numbers?
Ofcom lists 103 providers with allocated blocks on 01279. The largest are BT with 35 of the 218 allocated blocks, Vodafone with 17 of the 218 allocated blocks and Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited with 15 of the 218 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 01279?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01371 Great Dunmow (14 km), 01920 Ware (15 km), 01992 Lea Valley (18 km) and 01799 Saffron Walden (18 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 01279 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.