New Payg Virtual Network Offering 5p a min calls to UK Landlines and Mobiles.

Steve_xx

Muhammad_Ibrahim wrote: »

Okay, we never really established whether those charges were illegal or not. I get the feeling that someone from Vectone may have been reading these posts though. The first person here to mention them as "Premium Rate Numbers" was DarkConvict. Vectone may have picked up on this idea because they have called them "Premium Numbers" on their website.

Of course, we all know that "Premium Rate Numbers" begin with "09". The use of the term "Premium Numbers" for calls to "08" numbers is still technically correct though, at least from Vectone's point of view, on the basis that Vectone were previously charging a very hefty premium for these calls.

I agree with you that they should be referred to by their correct name of "Non-geographic Numbers". Maybe we should ask Vectone to change this on their website, as the term "Premium Numbers" is confusing.

The thing that is worrying is when a network service provider appears not to understand the distinction between numbering groups. On that basis, and due to the lack of comprehensive pricing detail I really wouldn't want to sign up with.

I guess you have signed up and are happy thus far?

Muhammad_Ibrahim

Steve_xx wrote: »

The thing that is worrying is when a network service provider appears not to understand the distinction between numbering groups. On that basis, and due to the lack of comprehensive pricing detail I really wouldn't want to sign up with.

I guess you have signed up and are happy thus far?

I appreciate the need for a fair review. Virtually every mobile phone company makes "mistakes". Vectone are a fairly new company, and I think that we should give them a chance, especially as they offer the cheapest calls to UK numbers.

I've been making calls using my Vectone SIM for a few months now. I'm an Orange contract customer (cheap off-peak calls), and I use my Vectone SIM to make outgoing calls during the day.

The Vectone SIM takes a bit longer to "register" after switching SIMs, and a couple of months ago my SIM failed completely. Putting it into a friend's phone solved that problem though, and it's not failed on me since.

If you don't have a contract SIM with inclusive minutes, or you can't get a contract SIM for whatever reason, then Vectone is definitely the cheapest PAYG SIM out there. The ability to make very cheap international calls (3p/min to USA for instance) is also an added bonus.

Based on the one failure that I experienced, I wouldn't recommend anyone to use Vectone as their only SIM. I recommend having Lebara or one of the others on standby, just in case your Vectone SIM fails to register for whatever reason.

Apart from that, I've no complaints. Vectone offers a few more "freebies" to tempt people, like free Vectone-Vectone calls for instance. Check out their website and decide for yourself.

I can't post any links here, but their website address is: www_vectonemobile_co_uk

Steve_xx

OK that's pretty good. I note that their special offer thing, due to end today, has been extended to 31 March. It's certainly encouraging.

OneADay

How often do you have to top up and how long does it last.
I am interesting in getting this for my brother who makes international calls and sends texts overseas.

Steve_xx

OneADay wrote: »

How often do you have to top up and how long does it last.
I am interesting in getting this for my brother who makes international calls and sends texts overseas.

Ineterestingly, section (f) below refers to your query, but it does not provide the answer!

5. Charges and Payment
(a) To be able to use the Services you must ensure that you have sufficient Credit. In particular you will not be able to use a Service where you have no Credit or where the amount of Credit is less than the minimum charge for that Service.
(b) As Charges are incurred they will be deducted from the Credit. Charges incurred simultaneously are deducted simultaneously. In the event that the Credit is insufficient to meet all Charges due those contracted for earlier will receive preference thus Charges for Additional Services shall be applied in the order in which those Additional Services were ordered by you and shall be applied after Charges due for the Basic Services.
(c) The Charges are available online at http://www.vectonemobile.co.uk/ and from our customer services department.
(d) You must pay for the Services in advance and do this by purchasing Top-up Vouchers. Once you register a Top-up Voucher it, and its Credit, is recorded against your Account and Charges applied to your Account are deducted from the Credit attached to that Top-up Voucher.
(e) Where you have more than one Top-up Voucher recorded against your Account the Charges will be deducted from the available Credit on the earliest activated Top-up Voucher first.
(f) Top-up Vouchers are not redeemable for cash and will expire if you do not use all the related Credit within the period or before the deadline stated on or with the Top-up Voucher itself.

Muhammad_Ibrahim

OneADay wrote: »

How often do you have to top up and how long does it last.
I am interesting in getting this for my brother who makes international calls and sends texts overseas.

You can top up as often as you like, but you must make at least one call or send one text every 180 days (approx. 6 months). If you fail to do that, then it's bye bye Vectone!

8. Termination
(a) Where you do not use the Services at least once every 180 days your Vectone Mobile SIM will be disconnected from the Network, this Agreement will be terminated, any Top-up Voucher recorded on your Account that has not expired will be forfeited and you will lose your Number.

OneADay

Thanks for the info - I have ordered it, well asked for the freebie sim to be sent to me :-)

If it works out - this will help me bro a fair bit

digp

I found that making international calls with with it was a pretty p-poor experience. Call quality: 0.

alf

I use Lebara for intl calls, local calls/text are 10p/min. Roams on Vodafone and overseas call quality is quite good.

Stompa

I believe Vectone piggybacks on T-Mobile. Presumably this means that a Vectone SIM cannot be used in a phone locked to Virgin (which also piggybacks on T-Mobile)?