Calling 0870/0845 With Skype v's BT - advice please

Daisy4567

Hi there,

A while ago, due to money issues we lost our BT homeline and have been making all calls using our mobiles.

This is obviously fine for any number which is not an 0800/0870 or 0845 - which unfortunately we do have to phone for some of our creditors even though I always search on "saynoto0870" some have no alternative.

These numbers cost us a fortune on a mobile.

So I've got Skype and have been searching to try and fine firstly if you can make this type of call on Skype, and secondly if it's really expensive or not.

Would we be better trying to get a BT line back?

I'm wading through a quagmire and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you:j

Heinz

If you can open a 18185 account, those calls are reasonable cost (3p/minute most of the time) via their 08081703703 freephone* gateway number.

*Which you can make free on giffgaff.

http://18185.co.uk/index2.php

http://giffgaff.com/index/pricing

Ypaymore

If you have inclusive minutes on your mobile you could also use 18185,s geographical access number.

http://18185.co.uk/mobilerates.php

Daisy4567

Hi, thanks so much for the responses.

How much is it to call through this though?

I'm slightly concerned as unless I'm being really thick I cannot find how much it costs a) to actually use the service b) how it is charged c) does it override the mobile provider and mean I'll lose my account with them?

Many Thanks

Heinz

OK, let's assume you open a 18185 account online, set up a means of payment (direct debit recommended) and that you have a mobile contract which allows you 'free' calls to 01 and 02 numbers at all times.

Now, on a weekday afternoon, you wish to make a call from your mobile to an 0870 number. You dial 020 8180 2828, wait for the voice prompt and then dial your 0870 target number followed by a # (NOT the send key). The target number rings and you have your conversation.

Your mobile operator charges you nothing (as usual) but your 18185 itemised call record shows your 0870 call being charged at 3p/minute with a 5p connection charge.

18185's charges by this method are HERE.

OldGreyFox

You can use Skype to call them

But cost to do so is expensive

http://www.skype.com/intl/en/prices/payg-rates?currency=GBP#cc=GB

If your a payg user.

Tesco Mobile Payg Lite Tariff . Only charge 8p a min to call 0845/0870 and 0844 numbers.

http://www.tesco.com/mobilenetwork/content.aspx?page=83

Daisy4567

Heinz wrote: »

OK, let's assume you open a 18185 account online, set up a means of payment (direct debit recommended) and that you have a mobile contract which allows you 'free' calls to 01 and 02 numbers at all times.

Now, on a weekday afternoon, you wish to make a call from your mobile to an 0870 number. You dial 020 8180 2828, wait for the voice prompt and then dial your 0870 target number followed by a #. The target number rings and you have your conversation.

Your mobile operator charges you nothing (as usual) but your 18185 itemised call record shows your 0870 call being charged at 3p/minute with a 5p connection charge.

18185's charges by this method are HERE.

Hey that's brilliant! Thanks so much for clearing it up for me, totally understand now and it sounds great so I'm defo signing up for that.

Thanks again for all the responses

D :T