Cheapest 0845/0870 override provider?

imroberts

I've just moved my line rental to Sky Talk.

The only thing I really use my landline for is ringing 0845 / 0870 numbers when there is no alternative on saynoto0870, therefore I'm looking for the cheapest override provider for these calls.

I was going to go with 18185 as these seem to be the most well known, however I didn't realise until today how many alternatives there are.

Who's the cheapest for these calls?

Heinz

As you can no longer use the 1280 prefix to 'hop back onto' BT and if Sky haven't blocked it, 18185's freephone gateway number, 08081703703, will certainly be the cheapest way for you to call 0845 and 0870 numbers at all times.

See HERE.

imroberts

Many thanks.

I rung 18185 last night and got through to a pre-recorded message saying my phone number wasn't registered with them, so I guess that means Sky haven't blocked it

Will go with them I think.

As an aside, I'm sure you replied last night with a link to a checker which gave you the price of specific calls via all providers?

Heinz

imroberts wrote: »

I rung 18185 last night and got through to a pre-recorded message saying my phone number wasn't registered with them, so I guess that means Sky haven't blocked it

Will go with them I think.

Remember the 0808 1 703 703 gateway is the cheap way for 0845 calls weekday daytimes (i.e. rather than the 18185 prefix).

imroberts wrote: »

I'm sure you replied last night with a link to a checker which gave you the price of specific calls via all providers?

I did but, as the MSE UK CallChecker shows call costs from a BT landline, I thought better of it this morning.

imroberts

Thanks again.

What's the difference between dialling 18185 and 0808 1 703 703 ?

Heinz

imroberts wrote: »

What's the difference between dialling 18185 and 0808 1 703 703 ?

Simply the cost at certain times - see HERE.

neilsedaka

Lowercall are very good especially for short 0845/0870 calls because there is no connection fee.

http://www.lowercall.com

Heinz

neilsedaka wrote: »

Lowercall are very good especially for short 0845/0870 calls because there is no connection fee.

http://www.lowercall.com

But what do they charge per minute for calling 0845 and 0870 numbers?

Their website shows one minute calls to 'National NGN' [is that meant to mean 0845?] and 'National Non-Geographic (BT)' [is that meant to mean 0870?] numbers would cost 8.03p Peak/4.11p Evenings/4.11p Weekends and 10.02p Peak/4.99p Evenings/4.78p Weekends respectively.

Despite the lack of a connection fee, I'd still say there are cheaper ways (see post #6).

neilsedaka

Heinz wrote: »

But what do they charge per minute for calling 0845 and 0870 numbers?

0845 calls are charged at 3.37 pence per minute weekday peak rate. 0844 calls are 4.39 ppm weekday peak rate. 0870 are 6.98 ppm weekday peak. Not bad me thinks especially with no connection charge.

Heinz

neilsedaka wrote: »

0845 calls are charged at 3.37 pence per minute peak rate. 0844 calls are 4.39 ppm peak rate. 0870 are 6.98 ppm peak. Not bad me thinks especially with no connection charge.

Whilst the 5p connection charge has to be taken into account, the ½p/minute at all times rate charged by 18185 (via its 08081703703 gateway number) is clearly better than 3.37p/minute.

Similarly, the 5p/minute rate charged by 18185 (via its 08081703703 gateway number) is clearly better than 6.98p/minute for peak 0870 calls.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=5357468&postcount=59

Again, whilst BT's 8p call set-up fee has to be taken into account, I'm confused by the 4.39p/minute charge you quote for 0844 calls. Is that for all 0844 ranges - i.e. the ½p, 1p, 2p, 3p, 4p and 5p ranges?

neilsedaka

Thanks Heinz. I was unaware of the 18185 08081703703 gateway number.

My 0844 example was 084456. I don't make many 0844 calls so do not have any other examples to share.