Unlike body waves, surface waves (also known as long waves, or simply L waves) move along the surface of the Earth. Surface waves are to blame for most of an earthquake's carnage. They move up and down the surface of the Earth, rocking the foundations of man-made structures.
No 0844 is not a premium number, not a premium rate number, is not charged at high/premium rates, they are only up to 4.26pence per minute from a BT landline.
That is a different situation altogether. The terminating network of an 0870 number charges the caller extra, like a premium rate number. It is in no sense a toll-free number. I don't think you can call 900 (premium rate) numbers in the U.S. from abroad either.