cheapest way of contacting people with mobiles

dag_2 · 3 January 2005 at 3:06PM

I'm amazed that Martin hasn't written an article about this lately, especially now that 18866's weekend rate to mobiles has gone up to a staggering 3p per minute. 1899 is still 2p, but has a higher connection charge.

But you're still lucky to get less than 10p per minute during the week - so if your call isn't that urgent, the best bet is to wait until the weekend.

Texts to mobiles are still way too expensive, with many pay-as-you-go phones not charging less than 9p each, and often 10p or 12p. Surely there are cheaper ways of sending texts?

I've found VIP CBFSMS, which charges 5p per text - you have to buy 300 in one go, for £15, but so far I can't find anything cheaper anywhere.

I figured that it might be cheaper to use TAP or UCP client software on your computer, especially at the weekend - you can prefix the SMSC dial-up numbers with 1899 or 18866 to make them cheaper. I've tried a Windows 98 programme called "SMS-it", but I can't get it to work. It dials and makes a few beeps, but just says "SMS Service Centre does not respond" - it does that no matter which SMSC I try. I've only tried UK SMSC's so far.

Any advice? Thanks.

janaltus · 4 January 2005 at 6:19AM

You raise a very interesting point. As a Yorkshireman I should point out that the cheapest way to contact someone on a mobile phone is to borrow someone else's and call them on that.

Seriously, though, for years I did not own (nor want) a mobile phone but needed to SMS (text message) others with mobile phones. There were plenty of websites that permitted you to send a limited number of free SMS per month. I guess that, one by one, they built up their clientele and withdrew their free SMS facilities. Now I'm down to one company: O2 - and even they have recently limited the number of free SMS to a meagre ten or so per month. Still, it meets my humble needs! Perhaps it will help you (https://www.o2.com). Maybe others know of alternative websites?

NOW ...(my fellow W98 friend) ... I want to know more about the "TAP or UCP client software" on your computer. I've never heard of this, spill the beans please.