The UKs Cheapest Home Phone Calls Provider Article Discussion Area

helen21_2

Thanks heinz, i meant the number you put infront when you use say 1899 do you need local area code, soz so many questions, but after last night i am really annoyed with myself for not sorting this out sooner.

Heinz

helen21 wrote:

Thanks heinz, i meant the number you put infront when you use say 1899 do you need local area code, soz so many questions, but after last night i am really annoyed with myself for not sorting this out sooner.

Using 1899 to dial 01234 567890, you'd dial 189901234567890 (carrier prefix, always followed by STD code, followed by number).

JessicaFishy wrote:

hi there! im new to all this, so just wanted to clarify. sorry if this sounds a bit idiotic. Is this right- i need to connect to BT option 1, and once ive done that, use an override provider to get cheap calls? im a bit confused- as martins recommends primus but i really only need an override provider for international calls. so- do i need to get bt, AND primus to get the free evening calls etc, AND another number that it cheaps for my overseas calls? or jut bt and the company for my overseas calls? am a bit confused, would appreciate any advice.

The basics*:

BT landline on BT Together Option 1. Pay by DD so the price is £11 per month incl. VAT.

Sign up for Primus Saver Option 2 CPS so, for no monthly charge, you get free evening and weekend calls to UK 01/02 numbers.

Sign up for call1899.co.uk so you get unlimited duration weekday daytime calls to UK 01/02 numbers for 3p each.

Sign up for 18185.co.uk so you get 4p connection and 5p/minute weekday calls to UK 077/078/079 (mobile) numbers (2p/minute at weekends).

* If you're really into money-saving, there are slightly cheaper ways of making some calls but the above 4 basics save the most.

P.S. See the recommendations to helen21 in post #19 about 118xxx, 08xx and 00 calls too.

helen21_2

Many, many thanks for all your help, again

egnarts

Martin,
Being thoroughly pedantic! In your article on telephones you say that £340 is more than half the B.T. Option 1 rate of £810 per annum. Of course I know you mean less than, but you arte trying to stress that the saving is more than 50%.

Keep up the good work. I particularly enjoy your slot on Jeremy Vine's Radio 2.

Cheers,

Simon Strange

JessicaFishy

Thanks v much Heinz, that is so so helpful!
On another note- ive just moved into a new apartment, according to bt site there is a 75 quid connection fee. do you know of any way to reduce this cost? or if its normal for new tenants to foot the cost versus the landlord? all this phones business is new to me and i feel a bit ignorant..!!! and £75 is a lot of moeny at he moment, even with all ill be saving on cheap calls..! thanks in advance!!

Merv_Pumpkinhead

I had a similar situation when I moved into a flat with no phone line. I asked the Landlord to install one, and he said he was not willing to pay. I asked him to contribute as it would make the flat more "lettable" in the future, and he agreed to pay half in the end.

Merv_Pumpkinhead

I am planning to sign up for Primus, but I am concerned to hear the Helen21 lost internet access.

Was this dial up or broadband? How was it resolved?

Has anyone else had problems with broadband access after signing up for Primus?

I am with Tiscali Broadband - they are pretty cheap for 2mb access (£17.99) but rubbish at customer service (hence I do not want to have to engage with Tiscali customer service if Primus is going to cause me a problem).

I would move from Tiscali, but again there customer service is so poor I would live in fear of having no internet access at home (a dreadful thought!!!)

indigogirl_3

I dont have a BT line!

I use ntl. I pay £10.50pcm which is the basic tariff but cant access Primus for free weekend calls without a BT line.
Any suggestions where I might go for cheapest weekend calls?

I've tended to use 1899 as override for all calls with the rates as follows:

UK rates p/min

UK fixed lines 0.5
UK mobiles (sat/sun) 3
UK mobiles (weekdays) 10
UK (070 Personal) 15
UK (0845 Local) 4
UK (0870 National) 7

Do you think its worth using 18185?

UK Fixed 1
UK mobiles (sat/sun) 2
UK mobiles (weekdays) 10
0845 Local (sat/sun) 1
0845 Local (weekdays) 3
0870 National (sat/sun) 2
0870 National (weekdays) 4
070 Personal 25

I'm struggling to calculate which is best value when the fixed call rate is included?

Thanks

pricefighter

Indigogirl.

You might find this website helpful :http://wakeup.to/cheapercablecalls

helen21_2

Merv_Pumpkinhead wrote:

I am planning to sign up for Primus, but I am concerned to hear the Helen21 lost internet access.

Was this dial up or broadband? How was it resolved?

Has anyone else had problems with broadband access after signing up for Primus?

I am with Tiscali Broadband - they are pretty cheap for 2mb access (£17.99) but rubbish at customer service (hence I do not want to have to engage with Tiscali customer service if Primus is going to cause me a problem).

I would move from Tiscali, but again there customer service is so poor I would live in fear of having no internet access at home (a dreadful thought!!!)

I am with wanadoo and it was nothing to do with changing to primus, apparently there was emergency work going on at the exchange, nothing to do with primus. Hope that helps