International and UK CallChecker Discussion Area

Heinz

Thanks Paul but it may be that jjstringer is confused at the plethora of choices which the MSE Callcheckers throw up and is seeking advice on which to use.

For example, eleven 2p/minute providers appear when providers for calls to South African landlines are requested.

OK jjstringer (welcome to the MSE forums BTW), there are 3 basic types of providers in that (South African landlines) example:

1. pre-pay (TopUpDiscount and Topupnow);
2. gateway (0844 numbers);
3. account (18185).

I don't like pre-pay (because it requires having an excess of credit so you don't get cut of). However, they suit some people.

Using any of the gateway numbers means you start paying halfway through dialling and pay even if your 'target' number is engaged.

18185 is my choice but some people prefer not to open an account (if you do, use the DD payment method, not continuous payment authority on a debit or credit card).

mands_2

Beware -- India call number at 1p a minute doesn't work. You get a recorded message telling you to call another number which is charged at 2p. You will be charged 7p for this message !!! The listed number is 08448612929 the one to dial for 2p is 08444624747 operators are dial-a-round

Heinz

mands wrote: »

Beware -- India call number at 1p a minute doesn't work. You get a recorded message telling you to call another number which is charged at 2p. You will be charged 7p for this message !!! The listed number is 08448612929 the one to dial for 2p is 08444624747 operators are dial-a-round

That's the trouble with gateway numbers - you get charged BT's 6p 'call set-up' fee as soon as you reach the recording.

It may be that DialAround's access number only changed today (their website shows the 2p/minute 0844 462 34 34 number not the number you quote) but, to be on the safe side, I'll e-mail CallChecker Admin drawing their attention to your post.

rufusbear_3

My OH is working in Gibraltar and asked me to search MSE for the cheapest way for him to call home to the UK. He has Orange Contract Mobile and Vodafone PAYG (Passport not available in Gibraltar). He has no internet connection ..... can anyone help me? I've tried deciphering Martin's International Call checker but I am either too old or something to get my head around it.

Regards.

Heinz

rufusbear wrote: »

My OH is working in Gibraltar and asked me to search MSE for the cheapest way for him to call home to the UK. He has Orange Contract Mobile and Vodafone PAYG (Passport not available in Gibraltar). He has no internet connection ..... can anyone help me? I've tried deciphering Martin's International Call checker but I am either too old or something to get my head around it.

Regards.

He has UK mobiles - both of which would be roaming in Gibraltar. Hence, you'd pay the same to call him on either as you would if he was in the UK.

However, he'd pay to receive the calls (I believe both Orange & Vodafone have reduced their rates now but it'd still be expensive for him).

You'd save a lot if he could have access to a landline phone in Gibraltar to receive your call. The MSE International Callchecker shows there is one gateway provider offering a 1p/minute 0844 access number and 7 offering 2p/minute 0844 numbers.

doveman

I notice that Abroadphone (https://www.abroadphone.co.uk , I presume) is shown in the CallChecker at 5p/min on 0844 452 9010 for UK landline to mobile calls, whereas their website shows it to be 6p/min on 0871 759 90 10.

Also, Virgin Media charge 5p/min for calls to the main UK mobile networks at weekends, so you should bear this in mind if you're a customer of theirs. Obviously, there's no connection charge if you don't get through either (6p if you do).

Heinz

doveman wrote: »

I notice that Abroadphone (www.abroadphone.co.uk , I presume) is shown in the CallChecker at 5p/min on 0844 452 9010 for UK landline to mobile calls, whereas their website shows it to be 6p/min on 0871 759 90 10.

It probably changed today - the automatic MSE trawl will pick the change up tonight.

cagan

Teletops 0 p to the USA went up today to 0.5 p. Hope another provider drops their rates tonight, I've got used to the low phone bill!

friskyfleabag

Is there any way of phoning a mobile phone in Australia from the UK without the mobile phone having to pay anything?

NKS

I noticed that your comparison thingummy doesn't have Primus planet talk, which I've used for several years now without hassle (unlike previous unreliable ones). Good rates (3.5p/min to NZ), can usually get through even at busy times, sensible access codes which don't involve premium numbers and, best for me as I don't have a landline, accessible from my mobile without crippling me financially! Other landline packages look similarly reasonable. www.planet-talk.co.uk if I'm allowed to put that in (no, I don't work for 'em!). They do have a nice habit of ringing me up every few months and offering me big chunks of extra credit if I top up then and there - which I usually do as I use it a lot. And they have auto top-up, which I set to add credit every time I get down to a fiver so I don't get cut off in the middle of a call to my mum!