Can you use 18185 or similar with Virgin?

Sarita

Hi everyone; I've googled around, read this board, and the 18185 website, and I'm still not clear whether I can use 18185 for domestic calls if I switch to Virgin - and if I can, which number to call, and what it will cost!
Can anyone clarify, from their own experience?
The 18185 website has a misleading link about Virgin which takes you to a page about *international* calls (irrelevant, as I use the MSE callchecker for those). They have no contact form for other queries - and neither do Virgin. Help!
Many thanks,
Sarita

PS before anyone replies saying 'don't go to Virgin' - I'm only doing this as I have a mystery fault on my phoneline which hugely affects my broadband; BT keep saying they've mended it (remotely); and if I ask them to send an actual engineer round and they can't find a fault I'll have to pay a huge fee. I'm concerned as I had an engineer round when I first moved in (for something else) and he tested the line and could find no fault. I have a Virgin cable box from a previous tenant so my option seems to be, Move!

Heinz

If you're changing from BT PSTN to Virgin cable, you can still use 18185 but have to access their service via their 0808 gateway number.

Via that, a call to an UK 01/02/03 number will cost 5p connection + 1p/minute instead of the 5p connection and 0p/minute which applies to those with a BT line and able to use the 18185 prefix.

As you can see, call charges will be higher but still a considerable saving on Virgin's (highest in the country) prices.

j.sprago

Virgin used to have a rule that if you get a fault wereas you use a prefix or calling card to get cheaper calls, if you get a routing fault with this where you cannot dial the number they refuse to fix the issue. They simply state to dial the number without the prefix

Stuart_W

Telesave works well via a cable line. I've used them for years.

1p per min weekends, 1.5p per min weekdays,
no connect fee - just a 4p minimum charge.

Make calls via 0800 0662266 access code.

You join instantly by calling 0800 066 4000 and topping up £10 credit.

You can get ministatement calling log by email or online if you wish.

Sarita

Thank you so much! Much appreciated :-)
Heinz, do you know the 18185 cost for calling a mobile via Virgin? (Ditto Stuart for Telesave?)

Stuart_W

The Telesave link above (click on the word Telesave) should link to all UK rates. Mobiles are 9.5p per minute at all times - but again there is no connection fee, min call charge 4p. There are likely to be cheaper options at the weekend (think 18185 is about the 6p/min mark).

Ypaymore

The charges to call mobile,s from the 18185 0808 access number are shown in the link Heinz gave you.

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


http://www.savacalldirect.com/countrydetail.aspx?country_id=216 only charge 5p a minute for mobile calls via 0800 access number.

wheelz

Heinz wrote: »

If you're changing from BT PSTN to Virgin cable, you can still use 18185 but have to access their service via their 0808 gateway number.

I've moved in with my boyfriend and used to have a bt line and use 18185 for calls abroad.

We now have Virgin. Do I just replace the number 18185 with the long 0808 number? Is that all? The instructions on the website say something and wait for the voice prompt. I used to have it all preset in my phone. It would be a hassle to type it in each time.

Heinz

Yes, you have to wait for the voice prompt (or, if you have an Orchid V4, you can program in a 5 second pause to allow time for the prompt to start).

lai30

Interesting reading above. I am also using a virgin landline , I am looking at the cheapest way to ring Canada and according to the virgin info , its going to cost me 30p per minute and a international connection plan charge of £0.293 per minute so for this is 32p per minute, which if I reading the info correctly does not seem to bad. But can it actually be cheaper time you have rang round using all the "oh so cheap calls enter the number before ringing the number you require" plans/operators. Comments please.

donnac2558

I am with Virgin and just use the 185185 no problem. Get the prompt and dial number and then hit #.