International & UK CallChecker discussion

OldGreyFox

jnm21 wrote: »

That was a very nice helpful post (not of any use to me I don't think, but thanked for taking the time to help the requester).

Yes just like a lot of the other useful posts on this thread .

LesD

Can someone check the Virgin rates please. The Planet Numbers rate to Canada (the only one I've checked) is showing the BT rate.

Ypaymore

LesD wrote: »

Can someone check the Virgin rates please. The Planet Numbers rate to Canada (the only one I've checked) is showing the BT rate.

Yes its also showing its free to call via 18185,1899, which is not correct.

Cheapest way to call Canada is 18185 via the 0808 free phone number, 4p connection, 0.5p a minute.

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

Or if you have inclusive minutes these people http://www.callsdiscount.com/ offer access via a geographical number at no extra charge.;)

Manzila

This is good. Heard for the first time.

johnboymonkey

I've been using Rebtel via an app on my phone to call friends in Pakistan. No problems with the service generally, but there is always a small delay after I say something, during which time the friends think I've not replied, and start saying 'hello? hello?', which of course then interferes with what I'm saying and etc, you get the idea, it makes a simple conversation very difficult! Our grasp of each other's language is basic at best, so there's no chance of explaining how it works to them.

I'm assuming that the delay is because of re-routing through another number, so can I get over this problem by using a sim based service? I just want some general advice before I look to change, since I won't know if there is a delay until I use any service for the first time.

Many thanks
Simon

DaveAA

If you are speaking to someone far away, there will always be a delay.

If the call is routed via satellite, that delay will usually be longer.
I'm not sure that any provider can guarantee how the call will be routed.

johnboymonkey

DaveAA wrote: »

If you are speaking to someone far away, there will always be a delay.

If the call is routed via satellite, that delay will usually be longer.
I'm not sure that any provider can guarantee how the call will be routed.

Thanks for replying.

If I speak to my aunt in America via BT she could be in the same room, so I don't think distance is the issue. When my friends in Pakistan call me using a direct line (to ask me to call them back), there is no delay.

When I used the term satellite delay I didn't mean it literally, that's why I put it in inverted commas. I was just trying to get across the idea of how much the delay was, i.e. it's 2 or 3 seconds. The conversations I have are similar to those that you used to see on news reports where interviewer/interviewee would keep talking over each other because they weren't allowing for the satellite delay.

I wasn't looking for any guarantees, just maybe for a general opinion based on someone's experience. It's logical to me that a setup that is based on re-routing rather than a direct line would most likely lead to a delay. So I've ordered a Sim card, I'm sure that the delay will be less because I'm direct calling, even if distance (or actual satellites) is part of the problem.

Many thanks
Simon

rapido

Ratebuster's 6p/min to Iraq mobiles (0871 299 0000) doesn't work. The line disconnects at the other end after saying "we're now connecting your call".

The 9p/min Cheap Calls service (0871 305 6878) does work fine.

LesD

Ypaymore wrote: »

Yes its also showing its free to call via 18185,1899, which is not correct.

Cheapest way to call Canada is 18185 via the 0808 free phone number, 4p connection, 0.5p a minute.

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

Or if you have inclusive minutes these people http://www.callsdiscount.com/ offer access via a geographical number at no extra charge.;)

It doesn't appear as if anyone who might be able to correct this actually reads this thread! I've now found similar errors on several Virgin quotes. Does anyone have a way of getting it sorted?

EDIT: Please don't suggest emailing the callchecker email. Both callchecker@MSE and callchecker2@MSE just trigger autoresponses.

DaveyP2004

Due to the fact O2 Broadband has been bought by SKY I am looking into the implications of switching our landline from BT to SKY (as I can get a decent broadband offer from SKY but only if I switch my landline to them).

The only calls we make on our BT landline are to Romania using the phone numbers listed on the "International Call Checker".

At first I thought we would be able to make similar calls if we switched our landline to SKY as if I use the International Call checker and change the "Landline Provider" to SKY I can see lots of cheap numbers listed.

However looking at SKYs term and conditions it says "Indirect Access Calls
From 1 July 2010, Sky Talk Customers on the Sky Voice and Broadband Network will no longer be able to make calls using a prefix number to access a different telephony provider (known as Indirect Access Calls)."

So my question is do phone numbers such as CheapestCalls 0844 200 6565
work on SKY landline and if so is the only charge incurred the 0.51p/min (13.87p connection) or are there additional charges from SKY.

Many thanks,
Dave