The International CallChecker discussion thread 2

buglawton

Call Germany for 6 times the cost I pay via an 0844 service... and they do it "by diverting your call via our own internet network" which does not sound like "connect through BT" to me. Spam and nothing special at that.

Heinz

buglawton wrote: »

Call Germany for 6 times the cost I pay via an 0844 service... and they do it "by diverting your call via our own internet network" which does not sound like "connect through BT" to me. Spam and nothing special at that.

Indeed, for my own favourite destination, the MSE International CallChecker shows two other 0844 gateway providers offering ½p/minute numbers, thirteen 1p/minute numbers and, for those with a BT line, 18185 charges 1p/minute too.

Ypaymore

NatashaMazhar wrote: »

After searching for an efficient and cheap way to call abroad I have finally stumbled upon a service called xxxx These guys conect through BT which means you get the highest quality connection possible. They have some of the lowest rates and the fantastic thing about this service is that they can get you up and running within minute simply by filling in 3 simple steps. I really like this service as they provide you will your very own 08 number... All you have to do is call this number and it connects you directly to your international phone number, there is no subscription or registration fee either which is amazing...as you would think with the quick and fast service these guys provide there would be. Visit there website, xxxx and see what you think!!

NatashaMazhar is a spammer who works for them and other non geographical companies based in leeds.One of her party pieces is to pretend to be a foreign student recommending the service.

evator

Hi all

I recently went to the US and had to call Barclaycard. The 7-minute call from my mobile to +441604230230 cost over £10. I have to say it was an unpleasant surprise to see that on my bill. :mad:
For the future, can anyone advise me on a cheaper way to call UK local numbers from a mobile phone whilst in the US.

Many thanks

Eva

buglawton

See in your mobile can have Skype or Fring installed on it, then connect to local WiFi in the states and use Skype Out to call UK (or any other phones) at reasonable prices.

re_kon3

I used to be with BT and was able to call 0844/0870 numbers for free on the weekends and evenings, however I have moved and had to take a Virgin line.

According to my calculations based on 2x 1 hour calls a month, it would be cheaper for me to take the Virgin International call package for an additional £1.50 a month rather than use the simply dial providers? Could anyone on Virgin confirm this, I'm not sure if I'm missing anything?

Talk International addon:
£1.50 per month
£3.60 3ppm (South Africa) x 120mins
£0.06 3p (connection fee) x 2 calls - which im not 100% sure about

Total : £5.16

Simply Dial Providers:
£12.00 10p (calls to 0845/0870) x 120mins
£ 0.20 10p (connection to 0845/0870) x 2 calls
£ 2.40 2p (average as we use 0.5p a lot) x 120mins

Total : £14.60

VOIP/Skype is not really an option, although most of them do have broadband, they have 3G or DSL with 500MB caps...and they old :P

Heinz

re_kon3 wrote: »

I used to be with BT and was able to call 0844/0870 numbers for free on the weekends and evenings

You are mistaken. BT allow 'in plan' inclusive calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers, not 0844 numbers.

Beware, Virgin Media charges many times more than other calls providers for dialling 0844 numbers (e.g. 3p/minute to call 0.5p/minute ones).

bioboybill

My wife used to call her sister in Singapore using budgetcom at 1p per minute and when we got our bills from NTL that's what we got charged. Recently I noticed my bills from VM were getting bigger every month, so I took a closer look at my bill (something I should've done ages ago). Although budgetcom had increased the charges to a still reasonable 1.5p/minute those greedy !!!!!!s at VM have been charging me 5p/min!:eek:

I phoned them to complain, but basically they couldn't give a monkeys and just said we charge from 4p/minute for 0844 numbers. Nice of them to not inform me about their change of policy.

Heinz

VM are renowned as the UK's most expensive voice telephony provider.

Ypaymore

bioboybill wrote: »

My wife used to call her sister in Singapore using budgetcom at 1p per minute and when we got our bills from NTL that's what we got charged. Recently I noticed my bills from VM were getting bigger every month, so I took a closer look at my bill (something I should've done ages ago). Although budgetcom had increased the charges to a still reasonable 1.5p/minute those greedy !!!!!!s at VM have been charging me 5p/min!:eek:

I phoned them to complain, but basically they couldn't give a monkeys and just said we charge from 4p/minute for 0844 numbers. Nice of them to not inform me about their change of policy.

You can avoid VM expensive connection and callcharges by using
http://www.18185.co.uk/mobilerates.php via their 0808 Freephone Number.
18185 and Budgetcom are part of the same group.

If you have inclusive landline or mobile minutes you can call a Singapore Mobile at no extra charge via http://www.callsdiscount.com/uk/index.htm geographical access number.