Using 18866/1899 for internet

andy88_2

spacecadet this is from the 18866 FAQ's

Can I access the internet via 18866?
No, unfortunately this is not possible. Internet providers offer dial up services using special access numbers which cannot be dialled using 18866.

Is it necessary to point out to them that it may be? Please don't ask them the question again. With any luck they won't read it, or won't answer as it's already in their FAQ.

You'll need a different number not the 0845; I've seen a Basingstoke (01256)number somewhere; was it here?

Graham_Smith_4

Thank you for the info, Dag! Just tried this out and it's working beautifully on 2 of their access numbers that I've tried out.Can't wait to tell One.Tel where they can stick their £13.99 a month anytime dial-up package...especially as they were too mean to allow me,as an existing customer, to sign up to this month's offer on their LeisureUK Talk plan! Consumer revenge..dontchajustloveit?!!

andy88_2

Be careful not to upset too many ISPs; it might not last forever; might have to come back

theloft

andy88 wrote:

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

Andy, I think you have mentioned this method of connecting to the net in the UK elsewhere. Can you help us with a few names of companies. I tried the BT number quoted by pud1 but it was continuously engaged. But even if I had got a modem don't you then need a password to connect ? How do you do this without registering and then paying a fee? Sorry to be so dumb, but I can't see how it works.

andy88_2

Of course you'll need a username and password to connect. So you will need to register; well you don't want to do this with several companies just to find one you like (but then, how do you choose one in the first place?) So choose a provider then find out their number, probably by asking their customer services or it will be on the website.

Some only intend for the number to be used for people calling in from abroad; others will allow 'local number' access (but there's no difference between local and national calls any more)

As I said before, it is entirely possible that 18866 and 1899 will find ways of blocking access to these numbers, just as BT except them from 5.5p/hour offpeak.

maneesh_2

lipidicman wrote:

can you use 18866 or 1899 with the internet? I would guess not, but what stops you?

m8 i was just gonna ask and post the exact same question, i mean go on the internet for 1p connection would be good.

lipidicman

Well the answer seems to be: you can, with a bit of luck!

maneesh_2

That was one of the first questions that gcame into my mind when i ehard about the service.

All i have to do is join it, and try it out once i get back home, i'm glad someone asked it by now.

Great internet uses think alike

bunking_off

As a matter of interest, is there any marked difference in the connection rate (e.g. 28k, 33k...50k) achieved in doing this?

For calls using US-based numbers/ISPs, I guess what you end up with, given
(a) dial up internet is effectively IP carried over a voice channel and
(b) low cost operators invariably send international voice calls via IP or even the public internet itself
...is IP over voice over IP.

Just interested to hear if that degrades the connection speed materially? Depends on the codecs used by 18866 I guess.

maneesh_2

I don't know yet, can't try it until i get home this weekend but am very excited.

Also looking at the Q/A on the 1899 site there is one about the internet that does not look promising.

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Can I access the internet via 1899?
No, unfortunately this is not possible. Internet providers offer dial up services using special access numbers which cannot be dialled using 1899.

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I also just found the Q/A (while typing this reply) on the 18866 site.

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Can I access the internet via 18866?
No, unfortunately this is not possible. Internet providers offer dial up services using special access numbers which cannot be dialled using 18866.

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