UK area code
01988 area code — Wigtown
01988 is Ofcom’s Wigtown numbering area, in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. 78 phone companies hold its 87 allocated number blocks. Its numbers are written like 01988 234 567. The nearest other codes are 01671 Newton Stewart (11 km) and 01557 Kirkcudbright (26 km).
01988 at a glance
- Ofcom area name
- Wigtown
- Council area
- Dumfries and Galloway
- Country
- Scotland
- Number format
- 01988 234 567 (4+6)
- Local calls
- Full number recommended
- Current code since
- 1995 (previously 0988)
- Allocated blocks
- 87 of 469 (19%) across 78 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 01988 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 Police Scotland on 101. In Scotland fraud goes to Police Scotland rather than Report Fraud.
01988 history and number format
Number format: Numbers on 01988 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01988 234 567.
Before 1995: 01988 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 0988.
Local dialling: Traditionally not from another 01988 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01988 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
Allocation record: the oldest number block still visible on 01988 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 01988 number rings (see the weekly numbering changelog for every new allocation.)
Phone companies holding 01988 numbers
Every Ofcom range holder with blocks on 01988, 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 2005 |
| Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited | 2 | 2 | 21 May 2019 | 21 May 2019 |
| Fuse 2 Communications Ltd | 2 | 2 | 3 July 2017 | 22 January 2024 |
| TalkTalk Communications Limited | 2 | 2 | 19 January 2012 | 19 January 2012 |
| (AQ) LIMITED | 1 | 1 | 28 September 2012 | 28 September 2012 |
| 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd | 1 | 1 | 27 January 2020 | 27 January 2020 |
| 8x8 Communications UK Limited | 1 | 1 | 19 April 2012 | 19 April 2012 |
| AQL Wholesale Ltd | 1 | 1 | 3 January 2008 | 3 January 2008 |
| Adepteo Limited | 1 | 1 | 29 November 2016 | 29 November 2016 |
| Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd | 1 | 1 | 15 April 2009 | 15 April 2009 |
| Atomstream Limited | 1 | 1 | 15 April 2010 | 15 April 2010 |
| Barritel Limited | 1 | 1 | 27 June 2006 | 27 June 2006 |
| Belgacom International Carrier Services SA | 1 | 1 | 14 July 2020 | 14 July 2020 |
| Bicom Systems EURL | 1 | 1 | 1 March 2012 | 1 March 2012 |
| Bink Networks Ltd | 1 | 1 | 11 April 2023 | 11 April 2023 |
| Colt Technology Services | 1 | 1 | 7 July 2016 | 7 July 2016 |
| Content Guru Limited | 1 | 1 | 10 October 2012 | 10 October 2012 |
| DIDWW Ireland Limited | 1 | 1 | 22 January 2019 | 22 January 2019 |
| Datazero Ltd | 1 | 1 | 30 October 2012 | 30 October 2012 |
| Dial 9 Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 9 December 2019 | 9 December 2019 |
| Digital Space Group Limited | 1 | 1 | 9 June 2008 | 9 June 2008 |
| EVE CONNECT LTD | 1 | 1 | 21 July 2022 | 21 July 2022 |
| Flextel Limited | 1 | 1 | 1 November 2005 | 1 November 2005 |
| GCI Network Solutions Limited | 1 | 1 | 22 December 2023 | 22 December 2023 |
| Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited | 1 | 1 | 3 May 2004 | 3 May 2004 |
| Hello Telecom (UK) Limited | 1 | 1 | 3 February 2012 | 3 February 2012 |
| I.T Communications Limited | 1 | 1 | 9 November 2015 | 9 November 2015 |
| ICC Networks Ltd | 1 | 1 | 18 April 2012 | 18 April 2012 |
| ICUK Computing Services Limited | 1 | 1 | 5 June 2020 | 5 June 2020 |
| INTELLIGENT EXCHANGES LIMITED | 1 | 1 | 26 January 2026 | 26 January 2026 |
Showing the 30 largest of 78 holders.
All number blocks on 01988first 200 of 469, by prefix
| Prefix | Status | Range holder |
|---|---|---|
| +44 198800 | Protected | — |
| +44 198801 | Protected | — |
| +44 198802 | Protected | — |
| +44 198803 | Protected | — |
| +44 198804 | Protected | — |
| +44 198805 | Protected | — |
| +44 198806 | Protected | — |
| +44 198807 | Protected | — |
| +44 198808 | Protected | — |
| +44 198809 | Protected | — |
| +44 198810 | Protected | — |
| +44 198811 | Protected | — |
| +44 198812 | Protected | — |
| +44 198813 | Protected | — |
| +44 198814 | Protected | — |
| +44 198815 | Protected | — |
| +44 198816 | Protected | — |
| +44 198817 | Protected | — |
| +44 198818 | Protected | — |
| +44 198819 | Protected | — |
| +44 198820 | Allocated | Voiceflex Limited |
| +44 1988210 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988211 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988212 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988213 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988214 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988215 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988216 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988217 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988218 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 1988219 | Allocated | TalkTalk Communications Limited |
| +44 198822 | Allocated | AQL Wholesale Ltd |
| +44 198823 | Allocated | Redcentric Solutions Limited |
| +44 198824 | Allocated | Telecom2 Limited |
| +44 198825 | Allocated | Nodemax Limited |
| +44 198826 | Allocated | Digital Space Group Limited |
| +44 1988270 | Allocated | Voxbone SA |
| +44 1988271 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988272 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988273 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988274 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988275 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988276 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988277 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988278 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988279 | Protected | — |
| +44 198828 | Allocated | Served Up Limited |
| +44 198829 | Allocated | Solutios Limited |
| +44 198830 | Allocated | Mars Communications Limited |
| +44 198831 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 198832 | Allocated | Andrews & Arnold (Numbers) Ltd |
| +44 198833 | Allocated | Telecoms World Limited |
| +44 198834 | Protected | — |
| +44 198835 | Quarantined | — |
| +44 198836 | Allocated | Nexus Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 1988370 | Allocated | Atomstream Limited |
| +44 1988371 | Allocated | Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited |
| +44 1988372 | Allocated | Windsor Telecom Limited |
| +44 1988373 | Allocated | Suretec Systems Ltd |
| +44 1988374 | Allocated | Telephone Box Limited |
| +44 1988375 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988376 | Allocated | Phone Co-Op Numbering Limited |
| +44 1988377 | Allocated | Telappliant Limited |
| +44 1988378 | Allocated | GCI Network Solutions Limited |
| +44 1988379 | Protected | — |
| +44 198838 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988390 | Allocated | Invosys Limited |
| +44 1988391 | Allocated | Nexbridge Communications Limited |
| +44 1988392 | Allocated | Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited |
| +44 1988393 | Allocated | INTELLIGENT EXCHANGES LIMITED |
| +44 1988394 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988395 | Allocated | YayYay Limited |
| +44 1988396 | Allocated | Inet Telecoms Ltd (Voipfone) |
| +44 1988397 | Allocated | Internexus Networks Limited |
| +44 1988398 | Allocated | Hello Telecom (UK) Limited |
| +44 1988399 | Allocated | Bicom Systems EURL |
| +44 198840 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1988410 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988411 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988412 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988413 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988414 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988415 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988416 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988417 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988418 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988419 | Protected | — |
| +44 198842 | Allocated | Magrathea Telecommunications Limited |
| +44 198843 | Protected | — |
| +44 198844 | Allocated | Barritel Limited |
| +44 1988450 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988451 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988452 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988453 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988454 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988455 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988456 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988457 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988458 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988459 | Protected | — |
| +44 198846 | Allocated | TelNG Limited |
| +44 198847 | Protected | — |
| +44 198848 | Allocated | TTNC Limited |
| +44 198849 | Allocated | Localphone Limited |
| +44 198850 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 1988510 | Allocated | ICC Networks Ltd |
| +44 1988511 | Allocated | 8x8 Communications UK Limited |
| +44 1988512 | Allocated | IOVOX Limited |
| +44 1988513 | Allocated | Invoco Ltd |
| +44 1988514 | Allocated | Ziron Limited |
| +44 1988515 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988516 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988517 | Allocated | Content Guru Limited |
| +44 1988518 | Allocated | Datazero Ltd |
| +44 1988519 | Allocated | Minotaur Telecom Limited |
| +44 1988520 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988521 | Allocated | Media Hawk Ltd |
| +44 1988522 | Allocated | Simwood eSMS Limited |
| +44 1988523 | Allocated | Kalnet4U Ltd |
| +44 1988524 | Allocated | Nuso Cloud UK Limited |
| +44 1988525 | Allocated | Redwood Technologies Ltd |
| +44 1988526 | Allocated | Fuse 2 Communications Ltd |
| +44 1988527 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988528 | Allocated | Colt Technology Services |
| +44 1988529 | Allocated | XoverX Ltd |
| +44 1988530 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988531 | Allocated | Adepteo Limited |
| +44 1988532 | Allocated | EVE CONNECT LTD |
| +44 1988533 | Allocated | I.T Communications Limited |
| +44 1988534 | Allocated | Sky UK Limited |
| +44 1988535 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988536 | Allocated | Vodafone Ltd (C&W) |
| +44 1988537 | Allocated | 24 Seven Cloud Communications Ltd |
| +44 1988538 | Allocated | DIDWW Ireland Limited |
| +44 1988539 | Free | — |
| +44 1988540 | Free | — |
| +44 1988541 | Free | — |
| +44 1988542 | Free | — |
| +44 1988543 | Free | — |
| +44 1988544 | Allocated | Bink Networks Ltd |
| +44 1988545 | Allocated | KCOM Group Ltd |
| +44 1988546 | Free | — |
| +44 1988547 | Free | — |
| +44 1988548 | Free | — |
| +44 1988549 | Free | — |
| +44 1988550 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988551 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988552 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988553 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988554 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988555 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988556 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988557 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988558 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988559 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988560 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988561 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988562 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988563 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988564 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988565 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988566 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988567 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988568 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988569 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988570 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988571 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988572 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988573 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988574 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988575 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988576 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988577 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988578 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988579 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988580 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988581 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988582 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988583 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988584 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988585 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988586 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988587 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988588 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988589 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988590 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988591 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988592 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988593 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988594 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988595 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988596 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988597 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988598 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988599 | Protected | — |
| +44 198860 | Allocated | BT |
| +44 198861 | Allocated | Gamma Telecom Holdings Limited |
| +44 1988620 | Allocated | Linear Telecoms Limited |
| +44 1988621 | Protected | — |
| +44 1988622 | Protected | — |
Related lookups
- 01671 Newton Stewart11 km away
- 01557 Kirkcudbright26 km away
- 01581 New Luce27 km away
- 01644 New Galloway30 km away
- BT7 allocated blocks on 01988
- Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited2 allocated blocks on 01988
- Fuse 2 Communications Ltd2 allocated blocks on 01988
- 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 01988
Where is area code 01988?
01988 is Ofcom's Wigtown numbering area, in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Its exchange town is in Dumfries and Galloway. From abroad, drop the 0 and dial +44 1988.
Do I need to dial 01988 for a local call?
Traditionally not from another 01988 landline, but it now depends on your provider: Ofcom stopped requiring providers to offer local (code-free) dialling on 11 March 2022. Dialling 01988 first always works, and mobiles always need it.
How are 01988 numbers written?
Numbers on 01988 use Ofcom's 4+6 format: the 5-digit code (including the leading 0) followed by a 6-digit local number — written like 01988 234 567. From abroad the leading zero is dropped: +44 1988 then the local number.
What was the 01988 area code before?
01988 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 0988. Old signage or stationery showing 0988 refers to the same Wigtown numbers.
Which phone companies hold 01988 numbers?
Ofcom lists 78 providers with allocated blocks on 01988. The largest are BT with 7 of the 87 allocated blocks, Convergence Group (wireless) Networks Limited with 2 of the 87 allocated blocks and Fuse 2 Communications Ltd with 2 of the 87 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 01988?
By distance between exchange towns, the nearest other codes are 01671 Newton Stewart (11 km), 01557 Kirkcudbright (26 km), 01581 New Luce (27 km) and 01644 New Galloway (30 km).
How do I report a scam call from a 01988 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.