Calling home FROM abroad?

flossy_splodge

Hope this is the right place... My two daughters are in South Africa for a fortnight. (Beginning today). One is on contract with O2 and one with Orange. We read all the info on here before they went but I think we misinterpreted something. They want to be able to call me from their mobiles using their inclusive minutes. Can they? One has tried using the 07744 system but texted me that it didn't work. Is it because that is only for calling TO an overseas number FROM the UK? If so is there a way they caan call back cheaply? One has a Nokia which I can talk her through unlocking but the other has a Motorola!! All help appreciated.x :eek:

redux

yes, the callthrough numbers are used from here to abroad

To avoid the contract roaming charges, they should get local SIM cards

details on http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/southafrica.html

then use either calling card via local access number, or callback service

You could then call them via some 07744 providers ...

mobilegossip

You can only use inclusive minutes whilst in Uk .Not whilst your roaming.

joeedgar

Tell them to get to a Pick'N'Pay supermarket and get a Vodacom sim card, they're about 30p, they have the cheapest international calling and texting but it's not cheap! When I visit for a fortnight I usually go through at least £50 of credit

flossy_splodge

Thank you SO much for the quick replies joeedgar, redux and mobilegossip. One last point. If I call THEM using the o7744 system do they need to have a local SIM and in which case does that mean they would need their phones unlocked? One is a Nokia so no problem but t'other is a Mororola!
If I call them using 07744 etc will there be a massive excess charge at one end or the other on their UK number?Really grateful to you all for clarifying that.

redux

There would be no point in using 07744 to call a UK mobile number, as they would still incur roaming charges.

I meant to imply that you might use 07744 providers to reach the South African number from a UK mobile with inclusive coverage of these, while calling from the UK (I notice on another thread you might be abroad yourself for part of the time, so don't use it then).

flossy_splodge

Thanks redux. Does that mean I can call a SA LANDLINE only or can I use 07744 system to call them if they have bought a SA SIM (without there being any punitive charges)? Sorry to be a bit slow but never done this so am being super careful as money is tight! (at least for me!!).Thanks for your patience.x:o

redux

using Simply-Phone, you wouldn't be able to call ZA mobiles, but see other providers instead - you can call weekdays using

https://www.planettalkfree.com
https://www.yourcallworld.com

Your calls to 07744 would only be from inclusive minutes on Orange, T-mobile or Virgin contract; others charge.

From O2 contract or even from BT landline you could try the 0870 number of PlanetTalk. I haven't tried this yet, but it seems almost too cheap to reach some of those destinations off-peak from BT

http://www.planettalkfree.com/PlanetTalk0870/tabid/57/Default.aspx

The South African SIMs would not be charged for those incoming calls. For outgoing calls from the SIM, their own international rates are a bit high which is why I suggested calling card or callback use.

joeedgar

Mate, their SA sims won't be charged for any incoming calls so don't worry about that! I'd recommend picking up a calling card from your local newsagent and using the 0207 access number, the rates will be higher for calling mobiles so try and see if they can get access to a landline? The one I use is Call Mama, normally get about 600mins of calls to landlines for £10!

flossy_splodge

Thanks so much to one and all for your help and patience. I succesfully made my first call this evening using the planet talk number (link shown above in redux posting and all went well. Just a small point for anyone else reading this in the same trepidation I felt before actually doing it ... when you dial the appropriate 07744 ***number, at least with planet talk, even if you follow that with the South African SIM number it connects you to a recording at planet talk confirming you are going through them and telling you THEN to input your destination number. So if you were out and about and using your mobile handsfree, you cannot dial it all in one go. I had to have the destination number written down separately to input after reaching planet talk. Good fun though and reception wasn't bad. Really grateful for the help I received as I can keep in close contact for the remainder of their time which makes ME happy at least!! x:T

redux

You can programme both numbers together into your phonebook, with a 3 second pause character. On a Nokia you get the p by pressing 3 times, others may be a long press of maybe that key. See the phone manual

07744......p0027.........

Many SIM cards won't save more than a couple of numbers over 20 digits long, but the phone memory should have scope for up to 32 digits or more


Come to think of it, I've never actually tried saving a doubled number like that as a speed dial, which would mean 1 key dialling; hmmmm, it should work

- it does