UK area code
01588 area code — Bishop's Castle
01588 is Ofcom’s Bishops Castle numbering area, in Shropshire, West Midlands England. 81 phone companies hold its 91 allocated number blocks. Its numbers are written like 01588 234 567. The nearest other codes are 01694 Church Stretton (14 km) and 01547 Knighton (17 km).
01588 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- Bishops Castle
- County
- Shropshire
- Council area
- Shropshire
- Region
- West Midlands England
- Number format
- 01588 234 567 (4+6)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 0588)
- Allocated blocks
- 91 of 451 (20%) across 81 providers
- Newest block
- 26 January 2026 (1 in the last 12 months)
Sources: Ofcom numbering data (weekly) and area-code list, Ofcom Numbering Plan, ONS geography.
If a 01588 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.
01588 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 01588 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01588 234 567.
Before 1995: 01588 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 0588.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 01588 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01588 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 01588 was allocated on 15 July 1994, and the most recent on 26 January 2026. 1 block was allocated in the last 12 months — newly-activated ranges with no call history, which is worth knowing when an unfamiliar 01588 number rings (see the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 01588 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 01588, 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 | 7 | 7 | 15 July 1994 | 15 July 1994 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 2 | 2 | 16 May 2008 | 15 March 2016 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 2 | 2 | 3 July 2017 | 22 January 2024 |
| Six Degrees Technology Group Limited | 2 | 2 | 10 January 2020 | 10 January 2020 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 2 | 2 | 20 January 2012 | 20 January 2012 |
| (AQ) LIMITED | 1 | 1 | 11 September 2012 | 11 September 2012 |
| 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 17 January 2020 | 17 January 2020 |
| 8x8 Communications UK Limited | 1 | 1 | 30 March 2012 | 30 March 2012 |
| AQL Wholesale Ltd | 1 | 1 | 4 January 2008 | 4 January 2008 |
| Adepteo Limited | 1 | 1 | 6 December 2016 | 6 December 2016 |
| Alnitak GmbH | 1 | 1 | 3 March 2017 | 3 March 2017 |
| Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd | 1 | 1 | 23 March 2009 | 23 March 2009 |
| Atomstream Limited | 1 | 1 | 12 May 2010 | 12 May 2010 |
| Barritel Limited | 1 | 1 | 22 June 2007 | 22 June 2007 |
| Belgacom International Carrier Services SA | 1 | 1 | 3 October 2019 | 3 October 2019 |
| Bicom Systems EURL | 1 | 1 | 1 March 2012 | 1 March 2012 |
| Bink Networks Ltd | 1 | 1 | 27 March 2023 | 27 March 2023 |
| CFL Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 14 July 2009 | 14 July 2009 |
| Colt Technology Services | 1 | 1 | 4 July 2016 | 4 July 2016 |
| Content Guru Limited | 1 | 1 | 12 October 2012 | 12 October 2012 |
| Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited | 1 | 1 | 21 May 2019 | 21 May 2019 |
| Datazero Ltd | 1 | 1 | 15 November 2010 | 15 November 2010 |
| Dial 9 Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 10 December 2019 | 10 December 2019 |
| Digitech Solutions Global Limited | 1 | 1 | 27 April 2010 | 27 April 2010 |
| EVE CONNECT LTD | 1 | 1 | 15 June 2022 | 15 June 2022 |
| Flextel Limited | 1 | 1 | 24 October 2005 | 24 October 2005 |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 1 | 1 | 20 December 2023 | 20 December 2023 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 1 | 1 | 18 April 2005 | 18 April 2005 |
| Hello Telecom (UK) Limited | 1 | 1 | 11 November 2011 | 11 November 2011 |
| I.T Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 20 November 2015 | 20 November 2015 |
Showing the 30 largest of 81 holders.
All number blocks on 01588first 200 of 451, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 158800 | Protected | — |
| +44 158801 | Protected | — |
| +44 158802 | Protected | — |
| +44 158803 | Protected | — |
| +44 158804 | Protected | — |
| +44 158805 | Protected | — |
| +44 158806 | Protected | — |
| +44 158807 | Protected | — |
| +44 158808 | Protected | — |
| +44 158809 | Protected | — |
| +44 158810 | Protected | — |
| +44 158811 | Protected | — |
| +44 158812 | Protected | — |
| +44 158813 | Protected | — |
| +44 158814 | Protected | — |
| +44 158815 | Protected | — |
| +44 158816 | Protected | — |
| +44 158817 | Protected | — |
| +44 158818 | Protected | — |
| +44 158819 | Protected | — |
| +44 158820 | Allocated | Net-Work Internet Ltd |
| +44 158821 | Allocated | VoIP-Un Limited |
| +44 158822 | Allocated | Redcentric Solutions Limited |
| +44 1588230 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588231 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588232 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588233 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588234 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588235 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588236 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588237 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588238 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1588239 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 158824 | Allocated | AQL Wholesale Ltd |
| +44 1588250 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588251 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588252 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588253 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588254 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588255 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588256 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588257 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1588258 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588259 | Protected | — |
| +44 158826 | Allocated | Telecom2 Limited |
| +44 158827 | Allocated | Nodemax Limited |
| +44 158828 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1588290 | Allocated | Voxbone SA |
| +44 1588291 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588292 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588293 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588294 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588295 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588296 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588297 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588298 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588299 | Protected | — |
| +44 158830 | Allocated | Served Up Limited |
| +44 158831 | Allocated | Solutios Limited |
| +44 158832 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 158833 | Allocated | Mars Communications Limited |
| +44 158834 | Allocated | Telecoms World Limited |
| +44 158835 | Allocated | Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd |
| +44 158836 | Allocated | Nexus Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 158837 | Allocated | Invade International Ltd |
| +44 158838 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 158839 | Allocated | CFL Communications Ltd |
| +44 158840 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588410 | Allocated | Digitech Solutions Global Limited |
| +44 1588411 | Allocated | Suretec Systems Ltd |
| +44 1588412 | Allocated | Atomstream Limited |
| +44 1588413 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588414 | Allocated | Datazero Ltd |
| +44 1588415 | Allocated | Windsor Telecom Limited |
| +44 1588416 | Allocated | Telephone Box Limited |
| +44 1588417 | Allocated | Inet Telecoms Ltd (Voipfone) |
| +44 1588418 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1588419 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588420 | Allocated | Phone Co-Op Numbering Limited |
| +44 1588421 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588422 | Allocated | Invosys Limited |
| +44 1588423 | Allocated | Nexbridge Communications Limited |
| +44 1588424 | Allocated | INTELLIGENT EXCHANGES LIMITED |
| +44 1588425 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588426 | Allocated | Bicom Systems EURL |
| +44 1588427 | Allocated | 8x8 Communications UK Limited |
| +44 1588428 | Allocated | ICC Networks Ltd |
| +44 1588429 | Allocated | Ziron Limited |
| +44 1588430 | Allocated | Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited |
| +44 1588431 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588432 | Allocated | Adepteo Limited |
| +44 1588433 | Allocated | Redwood Technologies Ltd |
| +44 1588434 | Allocated | I.T Communications Limited |
| +44 1588435 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588436 | Allocated | Orbtalk Limited |
| +44 1588437 | Allocated | Number Services Ltd. |
| +44 1588438 | Allocated | Colt Technology Services |
| +44 1588439 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1588440 | Allocated | Zapappi Ltd |
| +44 1588441 | Allocated | EVE CONNECT LTD |
| +44 1588442 | Allocated | Voiceflex Limited |
| +44 1588443 | Allocated | Belgacom International Carrier Services SA |
| +44 1588444 | Allocated | IP Voice Networks Ltd |
| +44 1588445 | Allocated | Dial 9 Communications Limited |
| +44 1588446 | Allocated | 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd |
| +44 1588447 | Allocated | ICUK Computing Services Limited |
| +44 1588448 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 1588449 | Allocated | SiPalto Ltd |
| +44 1588450 | Allocated | YayYay Limited |
| +44 1588451 | Allocated | Hello Telecom (UK) Limited |
| +44 1588452 | Allocated | Internexus Networks Limited |
| +44 1588453 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588454 | Allocated | Invoco Ltd |
| +44 1588455 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588456 | Allocated | KCOM Group Ltd |
| +44 1588457 | Free | — |
| +44 1588458 | Free | — |
| +44 1588459 | Free | — |
| +44 1588460 | Allocated | VOXYONDER NETWORK SERVICES UK LTD |
| +44 1588461 | Free | — |
| +44 1588462 | Free | — |
| +44 1588463 | Free | — |
| +44 1588464 | Free | — |
| +44 1588465 | Free | — |
| +44 1588466 | Allocated | Mi Telecom Limited |
| +44 1588467 | Free | — |
| +44 1588468 | Free | — |
| +44 1588469 | Allocated | Bink Networks Ltd |
| +44 1588470 | Free | — |
| +44 1588471 | Free | — |
| +44 1588472 | Free | — |
| +44 1588473 | Free | — |
| +44 1588474 | Free | — |
| +44 1588475 | Free | — |
| +44 1588476 | Free | — |
| +44 1588477 | Free | — |
| +44 1588478 | Free | — |
| +44 1588479 | Free | — |
| +44 1588480 | Free | — |
| +44 1588481 | Free | — |
| +44 1588482 | Free | — |
| +44 1588483 | Free | — |
| +44 1588484 | Free | — |
| +44 1588485 | Free | — |
| +44 1588486 | Free | — |
| +44 1588487 | Free | — |
| +44 1588488 | Free | — |
| +44 1588489 | Free | — |
| +44 1588490 | Free | — |
| +44 1588491 | Free | — |
| +44 1588492 | Free | — |
| +44 1588493 | Free | — |
| +44 1588494 | Free | — |
| +44 1588495 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588496 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588497 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588498 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588499 | Protected | — |
| +44 158850 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1588510 | Allocated | Linear Telecoms Limited |
| +44 1588511 | Allocated | IOVOX Limited |
| +44 1588512 | Allocated | Content Guru Limited |
| +44 1588513 | Allocated | Kalnet4U Ltd |
| +44 1588514 | Allocated | Minotaur Telecom Limited |
| +44 1588515 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588516 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 1588517 | Allocated | Alnitak GmbH |
| +44 1588518 | Allocated | Simwood eSMS Limited |
| +44 1588519 | Allocated | XoverX Ltd |
| +44 158852 | Protected | — |
| +44 158853 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 158854 | Protected | — |
| +44 158855 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588560 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588561 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588562 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588563 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588564 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588565 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588566 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588567 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588568 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588569 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588570 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588571 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588572 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588573 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588574 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588575 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588576 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588577 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588578 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588579 | Protected | — |
| +44 158858 | Allocated | Flextel Limited |
| +44 1588590 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588591 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588592 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588593 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588594 | Protected | — |
| +44 1588595 | Protected | — |
Related lookups
- 01694 Church Stretton14 km away
- 01547 Knighton17 km away
- 01938 Welshpool21 km away
- 01584 Ludlow23 km away
- BT7 allocated blocks on 01588
- Digital Space Group Limited2 allocated blocks on 01588
- Fuse 2 Communications Ltd2 allocated blocks on 01588
- All UK towns A–ZDialling codes by town
- More Shropshire 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 01588
Where is area code 01588?
01588 is Ofcom's Bishops Castle numbering area, in Shropshire, West Midlands England. Its exchange town is in Shropshire. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 1588.
Do I need to dial 01588 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 01588 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01588 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 01588 numbers written?
Numbers on 01588 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01588 234 567. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 1588 then the local number.
What was the 01588 area code before?
01588 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 0588. Old signage or stationery showing 0588 refers to the same Bishop's Castle numbers.
Which phone companies hold 01588 numbers?
Ofcom lists 81 providers with allocated blocks on 01588. The largest are BT with 7 of the 91 allocated blocks, Digital Space Group Limited with 2 of the 91 allocated blocks and Fuse 2 Communications Ltd with 2 of the 91 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 01588?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01694 Church Stretton (14 km), 01547 Knighton (17 km), 01938 Welshpool (21 km) and 01584 Ludlow (23 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 01588 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.