Using NTL line

marylee

I know if you have NTL line to ring 18185, you are charged per min. Does anybody know if they charge more when you use the international access code to ring e.g costa rica which is quoted at 3p a min with a BT line? I have yet to persuade my friend to use one of these codes to ring her son as she is spending loads using a card phone. Her phone line is NTL an she is old fashioned and said there must be a catch as you cannot calls that cheap. Thanks

Edinburghlass_2

Have a look at the price list for cable and mobile users on 18185 which is here or check out the MSE Call Checker.

It is sometimes difficult to persuade people that these companies really are okay and that you can phone most places in the world very cheaply, just keep on at her and once she tries it she will be hooked.

pricefighter

18185/1899 etc do not support calls to Costa Rica.

The cheapest way to ring Costa Rica from a cable phone line is 2p a minute via https://www.phonecheap.co.uk (A sister company of 18185) using access number 0844 462 00 02.NTL will charge 6p connection,which will apply even if you dont get through because you startto pay as soon as you hear 0844 numbers announcement.

If you use NTL to call Costa Rica Landlines it costs a wacking 75p a minute plus 6p connection :eek: (What i sometimes describe as a Costa Fortune Number )

Stuart_W

Avoid the 6p connection fee by using a difference calls supplier first. See http://wakeup.to/cheapercablecalls for a list. Xfone and PhoneCoop offer non geographic 08 and 09 numbers for the same as BT on a cable line (except for 0845 and 0870). This would allow 2p per minute via phonecheap without the connection fee.

pricefighter

Stuart_W wrote:

Avoid the 6p connection fee by using a difference calls supplier first. See http://wakeup.to/cheapercablecalls for a list. Xfone and PhoneCoop offer non geographic 08 and 09 numbers for the same as BT on a cable line (except for 0845 and 0870). This would allow 2p per minute via phonecheap without the connection fee.

Xfone charge you 3p a minute more to use their 0800 Cable Access Number,making this method very expensive.

Stuart_W

pricefighter wrote:

Xfone charge you 3p a minute more to use their 0800 Cable Access Number,making this method very expensive.

Interesting, as they don't charge me that 3p per minute surcharge and I access the service via 0800 619 1919 from my NTL line. I've double checked my bills. Maybe I am on an old tariff. Does the website refer to the 3p/min surcharge?

pricefighter

It says on http://www.xfone.com/uk6/index.html See user guide.

From a Cable line



Dial the access code 0800 619 19 19
Wait for a voice prompt
Dial the full destination number



From any phone using a PIN



Dial the access code 0800 651 5050
Wait for a tone
Dial your PIN followed by the full destination number

Notes: A surcharge of 3ppm will be incurred for use of the 0800 number Please call 0800 279 4950 to register your PIN There will be a set credit limit of £25

Stuart_W

I see what you mean now. I think that the section of the website page you quote is referring to two different services - "From a cable line" which works via 0800 619 1919, (which operates with no surcharge) and "From any phone using a PIN" which works via 0800 651 5050 with a PIN number. I don't use the PIN service.

Swiftnet (the company that operate xfone in the UK) have confirmed this over the phone to me today. Their website is not very clear, though. Brief panic over my next phone bill is over!!!

pricefighter

Yes i see what you mean.
The Swiftnet site is also misleading: http://www.swiftnet.co.uk/telephone/access_guide.asp