Free Dial is a telephone service where the receiving party (typically a business) pays the call charges. It is a service provided by NTT Docomo Business (renamed from NTT Communications in July 2025), and numbers beginning with 0120 (10 digits) are assigned. Since callers can make calls for free, it is widely used for customer support, order processing, and information request lines - situations where businesses want to encourage inquiries from customers.
The key difference from Navi Dial (0570) is who bears the call charges. Free Dial charges the receiving party, making it free for callers, while Navi Dial charges the caller and is excluded from mobile unlimited calling plans. The distinction "0120 = free" and "0570 = paid" is a basic point worth remembering as a consumer. Additionally, numbers beginning with 0800 are toll-free numbers as well, and like Free Dial they cost the caller nothing.
The cost structure for businesses adopting Free Dial consists of a monthly base fee plus per-call charges, with amounts varying by the number of lines, features, and contract. Combining a 0120 number with a vanity number makes it easier to remember, which is why such numbers are sometimes chosen as the contact line printed in advertisements and on product packaging. You can review the return on investment analysis in Free Dial business applications.
An important caveat: some Free Dial numbers cannot be reached from mobile phones. This occurs when a business has configured its number to reject mobile phone calls, resulting in an announcement stating that the number cannot be reached from mobile phones. In such cases, you need to find an alternative contact on the company's official website. Also, a number beginning with 0120 is not by itself proof that the party you reach is a legitimate company, so always verify the number's authenticity on the official website. You can review the details of the fee structure in Free Dial vs. Navi Dial comparison.