Using 18866/1899 for internet

andy88_2

pud1 wrote:

.has anyone tried this to see if it works or am i missing something as i was going to give it a go at the weekend

I rang a couple of times and heard a modem; why wait until the weekend?

pud1

because i'm working during the day and my computers in my 8 week old daughters room so i can't try it in the evening

JanS_3

dag wrote:

That's true - however, you can often find geographic numbers for ISP's from http://www.saynoto0870.com ; you can dial 18866 before these geographic numbers, and you will only be charged 1p no matter how long you stay online. Net4Nowt is also likely to have a list of geographic numbers for ISP's in their forums somewhere.

However - the geographic numbers tend to be unreliable, and change frequently.

But you needn't limit yourself to ISP's based in the UK. Now that 1899 is 0p/min for calls to USA, Canada and Germany, you can connect to ISP's in any of these countries for just 3p, no matter how long you stay online. I suggest http://www.metconnect.com and http://www.nocharge.com - unlike UK ISP's, you don't need to sign up with these - you can use Metconnect with any username and password, and you can use NoCharge with username "guest" and password "password".

They both have lots of access numbers, but you can't always get a connection first time. You may need to try each number in turn - however, this will cost you 3p a time with 1899, but only 1p with 18866. So it's a good idea to try each one in turn with 18866 until you get a connection - and when you do, hang up and redial the same number with 1899. Chances are you'll get a connection again - but if you don't, that's just unlucky, so carry on testing them with 18866.

I've found NoCharge to be more reliable than MetConnect. Maybe MetConnect have started blocking international caller ID's - I'm not sure.

Hi Dag, you mention that 18866 charges 1p, but I was under the impression that they charge 2p per min to the US? I wonder if you would mind sending me, per e-mail, the correct settings you use when setting-up a connection to both of the above-mentioned US ISPs?
Thank you

Edinburghlass_2

As this thread is really about internet access through 1899/18866 I am going to move it over to the Internet board.

andy88_2

Good idea. A certain person might see it and not dismiss it so quickly next time

andy88_2

JanS wrote:

Hi Dag, you mention that 18866 charges 1p, but I was under the impression that they charge 2p per min to the US? I wonder if you would mind sending me, per e-mail, the correct settings you use when setting-up a connection to both of the above-mentioned US ISPs?
Thank you

I think when Dag mentioned 1p (actually say 1.2 or so) it was the cost of trial calls to see if the numbers worked, then dial successful ones via 1899

But there are plenty of UK ones to call via 18866 for 1p

pud1

tried 18866 before dialling the 0121 bt geographical telephone number this morning @ 3:20 but only got an engaged tone

JanS_3

But there are plenty of UK ones to call via 18866 for 1p[/QUOTE]

Thanks, Andy, I realise that, but what name and password do you use when you sign in? I thought that they had to recognise your Screen Name?

andy88_2

You need to find a provider that has numbers like this; then sign up for their pay-as-you-go account with your choice of name and password, but use the 01 or 02 number after 18866 instead of 0845 or similar

spacecadet_2

I also have 18866 and I have tesco.net which is an 0845 number which charges 1p per minute evenings and weekends
I emailed 18866 to ask if I use tesco.net would I be charged just 1p for connection and then free after that? to date no response
I also have an 'orchid box' with a pre program plugged into my BT phone socket which links directly to 18866 which means that I dont have to dial the full number (ie code and then number) and when I dial any number it instantly tells me what the call costs
call charges for the month so far with 18866 is £2 including international