UK area code
01688 area code — Isle of Mull - Tobermory
01688 is Ofcom’s Isle of Mull - Tobermory numbering area, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. 72 phone companies hold its 77 allocated number blocks. Its numbers are written like 01688 234 567. The nearest other codes are 01972 Glenborrodale (12 km) and 01680 Isle of Mull - Craignure (27 km).
01688 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- Isle of Mull - Tobermory
- Council area
- Argyll and Bute
- Country
- Scotland
- Number format
- 01688 234 567 (4+6)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 0688)
- Allocated blocks
- 77 of 496 (16%) across 72 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.
What people check and report about 01688 numbers
From searches in our lookup form since 13 May 2026 and the verdicts and reports visitors left. A check means someone typed the number in, usually after a missed call.
Community reports: tech-support scams (1).
Most-reported and most-checked 01688 numbers
| Number | Verdicts | Reports | People checking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01688 570288 | — | 1 | 1 |
If a 01688 number called you
Reports here are mostly about tech-support scams, so treat unexpected calls as possible scams.
- 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
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 Police Scotland on 101. In Scotland fraud goes to Police Scotland rather than Report Fraud.
01688 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 01688 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01688 234 567.
Before 1995: 01688 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 0688.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 01688 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01688 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 01688 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 01688 number rings (see the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 01688 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 01688, 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 | 3 | 3 | 15 July 1994 | 15 July 1994 |
| AQL Wholesale Ltd | 2 | 2 | 21 December 2007 | 27 December 2007 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 2 | 2 | 20 May 2008 | 15 March 2016 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 2 | 2 | 20 January 2012 | 20 January 2012 |
| (AQ) LIMITED | 1 | 1 | 12 September 2012 | 12 September 2012 |
| 8x8 Communications UK Limited | 1 | 1 | 10 April 2012 | 10 April 2012 |
| Adepteo Limited | 1 | 1 | 6 December 2016 | 6 December 2016 |
| Alnitak GmbH | 1 | 1 | 7 July 2017 | 7 July 2017 |
| Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd | 1 | 1 | 30 March 2009 | 30 March 2009 |
| Atomstream Limited | 1 | 1 | 14 May 2010 | 14 May 2010 |
| Barritel Limited | 1 | 1 | 27 June 2007 | 27 June 2007 |
| Bicom Systems EURL | 1 | 1 | 1 March 2012 | 1 March 2012 |
| Bink Networks Ltd | 1 | 1 | 3 April 2023 | 3 April 2023 |
| CFL Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 14 July 2009 | 14 July 2009 |
| Colt Technology Services | 1 | 1 | 18 July 2016 | 18 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 |
| DIDWW Ireland Limited | 1 | 1 | 22 January 2019 | 22 January 2019 |
| Dial 9 Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 8 January 2020 | 8 January 2020 |
| Digitech Solutions Global Limited | 1 | 1 | 25 June 2012 | 25 June 2012 |
| EVE CONNECT LTD | 1 | 1 | 9 November 2022 | 9 November 2022 |
| Flextel Limited | 1 | 1 | 2 December 2005 | 2 December 2005 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 3 July 2017 | 3 July 2017 |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 1 | 1 | 20 December 2023 | 20 December 2023 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 1 | 1 | 24 May 2005 | 24 May 2005 |
| Hello Telecom (UK) Limited | 1 | 1 | 12 December 2011 | 12 December 2011 |
| I.T Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 5 September 2019 | 5 September 2019 |
| ICC Networks Ltd | 1 | 1 | 16 April 2012 | 16 April 2012 |
| INTELLIGENT EXCHANGES LIMITED | 1 | 1 | 26 January 2026 | 26 January 2026 |
| IOVOX Limited | 1 | 1 | 4 July 2012 | 4 July 2012 |
Showing the 30 largest of 72 holders.
All number blocks on 01688first 200 of 496, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 168800 | Protected | — |
| +44 168801 | Protected | — |
| +44 168802 | Protected | — |
| +44 168803 | Protected | — |
| +44 168804 | Protected | — |
| +44 168805 | Protected | — |
| +44 168806 | Protected | — |
| +44 168807 | Protected | — |
| +44 168808 | Protected | — |
| +44 168809 | Protected | — |
| +44 168810 | Protected | — |
| +44 168811 | Protected | — |
| +44 168812 | Protected | — |
| +44 168813 | Protected | — |
| +44 168814 | Protected | — |
| +44 168815 | Protected | — |
| +44 168816 | Protected | — |
| +44 168817 | Protected | — |
| +44 168818 | Protected | — |
| +44 168819 | Protected | — |
| +44 168820 | Allocated | TelNG Limited |
| +44 168821 | Allocated | AQL Wholesale Ltd |
| +44 168822 | Allocated | Barritel Limited |
| +44 168823 | Allocated | (AQ) LIMITED |
| +44 1688240 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688241 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688242 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688243 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688244 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688245 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688246 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688247 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688248 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1688249 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 168825 | Allocated | AQL Wholesale Ltd |
| +44 168826 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688270 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688271 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688272 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688273 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688274 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688275 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688276 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688277 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1688278 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688279 | Protected | — |
| +44 168828 | Allocated | Localphone Limited |
| +44 168829 | Allocated | VoIP-Un Limited |
| +44 168830 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1688310 | Allocated | YayYay Limited |
| +44 1688311 | Allocated | Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited |
| +44 1688312 | Allocated | Internexus Networks Limited |
| +44 1688313 | Allocated | Hello Telecom (UK) Limited |
| +44 1688314 | Allocated | Bicom Systems EURL |
| +44 1688315 | Allocated | 8x8 Communications UK Limited |
| +44 1688316 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688317 | Allocated | Inet Telecoms Ltd (Voipfone) |
| +44 1688318 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688319 | Allocated | ICC Networks Ltd |
| +44 168832 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 168833 | Protected | — |
| +44 168834 | Allocated | TTNC Limited |
| +44 168835 | Allocated | Telecom2 Limited |
| +44 168836 | Allocated | Redcentric Solutions Limited |
| +44 168837 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1688380 | Allocated | Digitech Solutions Global Limited |
| +44 1688381 | Allocated | Ziron Limited |
| +44 1688382 | Allocated | Kalnet4U Ltd |
| +44 1688383 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688384 | Allocated | Content Guru Limited |
| +44 1688385 | Allocated | Minotaur Telecom Limited |
| +44 1688386 | Allocated | Nuso Cloud UK Limited |
| +44 1688387 | Allocated | Redwood Technologies Ltd |
| +44 1688388 | Allocated | IOVOX Limited |
| +44 1688389 | Allocated | XoverX Ltd |
| +44 1688390 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688391 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688392 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688393 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688394 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688395 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688396 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688397 | Allocated | Spitfire Network Services Limited |
| +44 1688398 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688399 | Protected | — |
| +44 168840 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 168841 | Protected | — |
| +44 168842 | Protected | — |
| +44 168843 | Allocated | Served Up Limited |
| +44 168844 | Allocated | Net-Work Internet Ltd |
| +44 168845 | Allocated | Solutios Limited |
| +44 168846 | Allocated | Mars Communications Limited |
| +44 168847 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 168848 | Allocated | Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd |
| +44 168849 | Allocated | Telecoms World Limited |
| +44 168850 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 168851 | Allocated | Magrathea Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1688520 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688521 | Allocated | Adepteo Limited |
| +44 1688522 | Allocated | Colt Technology Services |
| +44 1688523 | Allocated | Alnitak GmbH |
| +44 1688524 | Allocated | IP Voice Networks Ltd |
| +44 1688525 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688526 | Allocated | Orbtalk Limited |
| +44 1688527 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 1688528 | Allocated | Number Services Ltd. |
| +44 1688529 | Protected | — |
| +44 168853 | Allocated | Nodemax Limited |
| +44 168854 | Allocated | Voiceflex Limited |
| +44 168855 | Allocated | Flextel Limited |
| +44 1688560 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688561 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688562 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688563 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688564 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688565 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688566 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688567 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688568 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688569 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688570 | Allocated | Voxbone SA |
| +44 1688571 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688572 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688573 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688574 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688575 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688576 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688577 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688578 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688579 | Protected | — |
| +44 168858 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688590 | Allocated | Linear Telecoms Limited |
| +44 1688591 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688592 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688593 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688594 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688595 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688596 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688597 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688598 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688599 | Protected | — |
| +44 168860 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 168861 | Allocated | CFL Communications Ltd |
| +44 168862 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688630 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688631 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688632 | Allocated | Windsor Telecom Limited |
| +44 1688633 | Allocated | Atomstream Limited |
| +44 1688634 | Allocated | VoiceHost Limited |
| +44 1688635 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688636 | Allocated | Suretec Systems Ltd |
| +44 1688637 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1688638 | Allocated | Telappliant Limited |
| +44 1688639 | Protected | — |
| +44 168864 | Allocated | Nexus Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1688650 | Allocated | Invosys Limited |
| +44 1688651 | Allocated | Nexbridge Communications Limited |
| +44 1688652 | Allocated | Invoco Ltd |
| +44 1688653 | Allocated | Simwood eSMS Limited |
| +44 1688654 | Allocated | INTELLIGENT EXCHANGES LIMITED |
| +44 1688655 | Allocated | EVE CONNECT LTD |
| +44 1688656 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1688657 | Allocated | Dial 9 Communications Limited |
| +44 1688658 | Allocated | DIDWW Ireland Limited |
| +44 1688659 | Allocated | I.T Communications Limited |
| +44 1688660 | Allocated | KCOM Group Ltd |
| +44 1688661 | Free | — |
| +44 1688662 | Free | — |
| +44 1688663 | Free | — |
| +44 1688664 | Free | — |
| +44 1688665 | Free | — |
| +44 1688666 | Allocated | VOXYONDER NETWORK SERVICES UK LTD |
| +44 1688667 | Free | — |
| +44 1688668 | Free | — |
| +44 1688669 | Allocated | Bink Networks Ltd |
| +44 1688670 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688671 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688672 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688673 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688674 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688675 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688676 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688677 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688678 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688679 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688680 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688681 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688682 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688683 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688684 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688685 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688686 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688687 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688688 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688689 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688690 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688691 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688692 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688693 | Protected | — |
| +44 1688694 | Protected | — |
Related lookups
- 01972 Glenborrodale12 km away
- 01680 Isle of Mull - Craignure27 km away
- 01967 Strontian31 km away
- 01681 Isle of Mull - Fionnphort38 km away
- BT3 allocated blocks on 01688
- AQL Wholesale Ltd2 allocated blocks on 01688
- Digital Space Group Limited2 allocated blocks on 01688
- All UK towns A–ZDialling codes by town
- More Scotland 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 01688
Where is area code 01688?
01688 is Ofcom's Isle of Mull - Tobermory numbering area, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Its exchange town is in Argyll and Bute. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 1688.
Do I need to dial 01688 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 01688 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01688 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 01688 numbers written?
Numbers on 01688 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01688 234 567. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 1688 then the local number.
What was the 01688 area code before?
01688 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 0688. Old signage or stationery showing 0688 refers to the same Isle of Mull - Tobermory numbers.
Which phone companies hold 01688 numbers?
Ofcom lists 72 providers with allocated blocks on 01688. The largest are BT with 3 of the 77 allocated blocks, AQL Wholesale Ltd with 2 of the 77 allocated blocks and Digital Space Group Limited with 2 of the 77 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 01688?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01972 Glenborrodale (12 km), 01680 Isle of Mull - Craignure (27 km), 01967 Strontian (31 km) and 01681 Isle of Mull - Fionnphort (38 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 01688 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 Police Scotland on 101. Unwanted sales calls go to the ICO after registering with the Telephone Preference Service.