01733 Area Code: Peterborough Dialling Code, Scam Calls & Business Numbers

Last Updated on 21.09.2026

The 01733 area code is the UK geographic telephone code for Peterborough and surrounding communities. A standard number is written as 01733 XXXXXX, or +44 1733 XXXXXX when calling from abroad.

Calls to 01733 numbers are charged like other UK 01 and 02 geographic numbers and are commonly included within mobile or landline call allowances. The code is used by homes, local businesses, public services and modern VoIP or virtual phone systems.

What Is the 01733 Area Code?

The 01733 area code identifies Peterborough and parts of its surrounding telephone area. It is a geographic number beginning with 01, meaning the number range was originally allocated to a particular UK location.

Ofcom manages UK telephone numbering and publishes regularly updated geographic-number allocation data. Its latest numbering dataset was updated on 16 September 2026.

A 01733 number does not, however, prove that the person answering is physically in Peterborough. Number portability, call forwarding and cloud-based VoIP services allow businesses to keep or operate geographic numbers from other locations.

The same basic system applies to other geographic ranges such as the 0161 area code for Greater Manchester.

Peterborough itself had approximately 215,700 residents at the 2021 Census, up 17.4% from around 183,600 in 2011.

Which Areas Does 01733 Cover?

The 01733 dialling area extends beyond central Peterborough. Locations commonly associated with the code include Peterborough, Castor, Crowland, Eye, Glinton, Newborough, the Ortons, Thorney, Werrington, Westwood, Whittlesey and Yaxley.

Other telephone-exchange records also include places such as Farcet, Helpston, Northborough and Stilton.

There is also significant overlap with the PE postcode area.

Postcode and telephone boundaries are different systems, so being within a PE postcode does not automatically mean a property uses 01733.

What Is the History of the 01733 Dialling Code?

Peterborough did not always use 01733.

Before PhONEday on 16 April 1995, Peterborough’s telephone code was 0733. During the nationwide numbering change, a 1 was inserted after the initial zero, turning 0733 into 01733.

There is also an older connection with the name Peterborough. During the letter-dialling era, the area was associated with the mnemonic PE3. On traditional telephone dials, P corresponded with 7 and E with 3, producing 733.

The history explains the number much better than suggesting 01733 was simply assigned because of Peterborough’s population or economic importance.

How Do You Call a 01733 Number?

From within the UK, the standard format is:

01733 XXXXXX

When calling from overseas, remove the first zero and use the UK country code +44.

A traditional landline within the same dialling area may sometimes allow the six-digit local number to be used without 01733, although using the complete number is generally clearer.

How Much Does It Cost to Call 01733?

01733 is a normal 01 geographic number, not a premium-rate number.

Ofcom says calls to 01 and 02 numbers are frequently included within inclusive minutes. Where they are not included, the precise price depends on the caller’s network and tariff.

This is more accurate than describing 01733 as simply having a fixed “local rate”.

03 numbers operate differently because they are non-geographic, although they must cost no more than equivalent geographic calls. More information on this distinction is available in the explanation of 0333 number costs.

Which Telecom Providers Hold 01733 Number Ranges?

Ofcom publishes number blocks allocated to communications providers rather than a definitive directory of the network currently serving every individual telephone number.

A current extraction of Ofcom’s data identifies 415 number blocks associated with 01733, with 283 allocated across 117 communications providers.

The original range holder is not necessarily the caller’s present network. A customer may have ported the number to another provider.

Who Might Be Calling From a 01733 Number?

Most calls displaying 01733 are ordinary calls connected with Peterborough. They may come from local companies, residents, schools, GP surgeries, healthcare providers, council services, tradespeople, delivery companies or other organisations.

However, caller ID alone should not be treated as proof of identity.

Scammers can use caller-ID spoofing, including techniques sometimes described as neighbour spoofing, to make an incoming call appear local.

Ofcom has strengthened its requirements for telecom providers to detect and block calls arriving from abroad that falsely present UK numbers.

If an unexpected caller asks for a password, PIN, one-time security code, bank information or immediate payment, end the conversation and independently verify the organisation.

What Should You Do About Suspicious 01733 Calls?

If you receive an unexpected call:

1. Do not disclose sensitive information: Never provide passwords, PINs, one-time passcodes or banking login details.
2. End suspicious calls: Do not allow urgency or threats to pressure you into acting.
3. Verify independently: Find the organisation’s telephone number on its official website, statement or account rather than using a number supplied by the caller.
4. Report mobile scam calls or texts to 7726: Ofcom says this is free and helps networks investigate suspicious numbers.
5. Report fraud to Report Fraud: Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud on 4 December 2025 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its telephone number remains 0300 123 2040. Report Fraud information
6. Report unwanted marketing appropriately: The ICO handles complaints about unsolicited marketing communications, while TPS registration can reduce legitimate unsolicited sales calls.
7. Block persistent callers: On Android, open the Phone app, select the relevant call and choose Block or Report Spam. iPhone users can block callers through their recent-call details.

If there is an immediate threat or danger, call 999. Non-emergency harassment or threatening calls can be reported through 101.

How Much Does a 01733 Business Number Cost?

Virtual numbers have made it possible to operate a Peterborough telephone number without installing a conventional copper landline.

The following prices were publicly displayed in September 2026 and can change, so businesses should verify the latest package before ordering.

ONSIM also offers a Landline SIM from £10 per user per month plus VAT, while LineHQ advertises features including call recording, voicemail-to-email and routing rules.

Price should not be the only consideration. Businesses should also compare call forwarding costs, outbound caller ID, recording, voicemail, contracts, number ownership and port-out terms.

One area-code directory also flags potential future number shortages for 01733, making it sensible to check availability if a business needs a particularly memorable number.

How Do You Get or Port a 01733 Number?

Getting a new number normally involves selecting a telecom or VoIP provider, checking its available 01733 ranges, choosing a package and configuring where incoming calls should ring.

Porting an existing 01733 number requires more care.

Keep the existing service active until the transfer has completed. Providers commonly require the account holder’s details, service address, account information and a recent bill.

For example, ONSIM states that virtual-landline ports normally require a completed porting form and a bill dated within the previous three months. It gives an expected transfer time of approximately 10 to 14 working days.

Incorrect account information can cause rejection or additional charges, so details should match the losing provider’s records exactly.

What Does the Digital Landline Switch-Off Mean for 01733?

A 01733 number will not disappear because the UK’s telephone network is becoming digital.

BT says the old PSTN, ISDN and related Wholesale Line Rental network is scheduled to close by 31 January 2027. Businesses still relying on analogue services need to move to IP-based alternatives before that point.

Businesses should check more than desk phones. Alarm systems, fax machines, CCTV, door-entry equipment, payment terminals and other equipment may still depend on traditional analogue lines.

Existing geographic numbers can normally be retained when migrating to compatible digital services.

What Should Businesses Know About Compliance?

Using a 01733 number also creates responsibilities.

Ofcom’s caller-ID requirements state that communications providers should ensure caller-ID information contains a valid, dialable number that identifies the caller.

Businesses making marketing calls must also follow PECR requirements. In most cases they should screen numbers against TPS and CTPS records, identify who is calling and display a contact number.

If calls are recorded, callers should be told about the recording and its purpose, with appropriate privacy information provided.

A virtual 01733 number can support a Peterborough-focused marketing strategy, but businesses should not use it to falsely suggest they operate from a physical Peterborough office. Phone details should also remain consistent across websites, directories and business listings.

Which Area Codes Are Near Peterborough?

More relevant nearby telephone areas include:

These are substantially more useful neighbouring codes than Lincoln’s 01522 code, which is much farther from Peterborough.

Conclusion

The 01733 area code remains Peterborough’s recognised geographic telephone code, but modern VoIP, porting and virtual-number technology mean a caller displaying 01733 is not necessarily physically located there.

For residents, the important points are straightforward: 01733 is a standard geographic number, calls are normally included within UK call packages, and unexpected callers should still be verified.

For businesses, 01733 can provide a useful regional contact number while remaining compatible with cloud telephony and the UK’s move away from analogue landlines.

When choosing or porting a number, compare ongoing costs, portability, recording features and regulatory responsibilities rather than choosing on monthly price alone.

FAQs About the 01733 Area Code

Where Is the 01733 Area Code?

01733 is the geographic telephone area code for Peterborough and surrounding communities including Eye, Castor, Werrington, Whittlesey, Yaxley, Crowland and several nearby villages.

Is 01733 a Mobile or Landline Number?

01733 is a geographic 01 number range traditionally associated with fixed landlines. However, modern VoIP and virtual services can route a 01733 number to mobiles, computers and other internet-connected devices.

Are Calls to 01733 Free?

They are not automatically free. Calls to 01733 are charged like normal UK 01 and 02 geographic numbers. Most mobile and landline packages include them within bundled minutes, but out-of-bundle prices depend on the provider.

Can a 01733 Number Be a Scam?

Yes, although the area code itself is legitimate. Criminals can spoof geographic caller IDs. Never rely solely on the displayed number when somebody unexpectedly asks for money, passwords, security codes or financial information.

Can I Get a 01733 Number Without Living in Peterborough?

Yes. Virtual and VoIP providers can supply Peterborough geographic numbers that forward to mobiles, landlines or software-based phones elsewhere. Businesses should avoid misleading customers about their actual physical location.

Can I Keep My 01733 Number When Changing Providers?

Usually, yes. UK geographic numbers can generally be ported between compatible providers. Keep the existing service active until the transfer finishes and make sure the account details submitted to the new provider match existing records.

Will 01733 Numbers Stop Working After the Landline Switch-Off?

No. The number range remains valid. The change concerns the underlying analogue network. Customers using traditional services may need to move their 01733 number to a digital or IP-based telephone service.

What Was the Peterborough Area Code Before 01733?

Peterborough previously used 0733. It became 01733 on 16 April 1995 during PhONEday, when a 1 was inserted into UK geographic area codes.