Internet Access Discussion area

Former_MSE_Dan

This discussion relates to the Internet Access: the cheapest way to dial up article

Please click reply to discuss.

hammodt

Are there any GEOGRAPHIC (ie. not 0845) internet services out there? I have free / inclusive call time, which only includes geographic landlines. It would be great to be able to connect through that...

Regards,

David Hammond

Patr100

If you are a normally a heavy user but ever need a temporary 24.7 dial up ISP to tide you over for a few days rather than using PAYG consider Open SurfUK
http://www.opensurfuk.com/

I have used them a couple of times. You simply text a number and you get a username , password and number for immediate use.
It starts at £1.50 (the cost of the text) for 3 days unlimited access - 72 hours - you can purchase more than 3 days at once.

If you are likely to spend more than say 3-4 hours a day for a few days at a time, using usual PAYG then it can save you money until perhaps til you find a permanent 24/7 ISP or as I have used it, to cover for a period when your usual ISP or BB isn't available. if you are likely to spend more than 50p a day on dial up PAYG internet then you start saving with this method.BT line required. They also have a casual PAYG access number.

I have used them twice and have no problems or engaged tones - There is a two hour cut off but you can dial straight back in no problem. it's like a voucher but must be used immediately form the time you receive the text

nkitson

A follow up to hammodt's post for a geographic ISP number.

I occasionally need to download moderate sized files using my mobile phone and laptop. I could use GPRS but the per MB charges clock up. 0845 access numbers are not in my mobile package so are expensive (25p/min I think) and the 0800/0808 numbers I've found are either blocked by the mobile operator or the ISP (they often require the user to by using a BT line)

Anybody know of an ISP that would work for me?

Thanks,

Nick

ukbill69

Dear nkitson, Ive seen guys on the train with vodafone live data cards. Also I think you can get o2 ones to.

gerrol

mipcards has changed it is now 2.5p daytime 1.11 p nighttime 1/2p weekends

scurrier

I'm surprised that you haven't mentioned the FLEXI-SURF ISP in your report - it's what I use.
They offer 60 hours per calendar month for £5. That's about 2 hours per day.
If you haven't used your 60 hours during the month, it doesn't roll forward, but I'm sure that 60 hours is more than enough for a lot of people.
You can check your monthly usage at anytime via their website, and if you exceed 80% of your 60 hours in any month, they'll e-mail to let you know.
I occasionally get disconnected, but no more than I have with any other dial-up ISP that I've used.
Go to:
http://www.flexi-surf.net/

Wig

Hammodit & Nikitson,

There used to be an ISP in Cardiff offering this, It was useful at the time because the number they offered was a geographic (Cardiff) Ntl number, so Ntl customers could connect for a free call. They charged at that time 12 pounds a month. I'm trying to remember the name but it is not coming back.

Ntl dial up then went 100% free, which was great while it lasted, but now they charge 12.49 / mth which is too much, and I can't afford the extra 5 pounds for cable! I also because of circumstances am reluctant to switch to cable.

I am a bit narked that Martins article did not tell whether these services are availabe to Ntl landline customers. I am really fed up being "locked in" with Ntl, If I want to go back to BT I will have to pay for a full installation from BT, last time I checked that would cost 90 quid!

So to conclude, because I am finding ntl too expensive I am happy that you two reminded me about the "geographic" option, and I will go back and see if this company still exists in Cardiff. I will report how I get on soon, I suggest if you are interested, you pop back here in a week.

P.S. Scurrier, Thanks for that info it sounds like an excellent offer, I am just about to check if I can access that 08089933025 number free of charge..... NO I can't even connect to that number! I really am highly #$@#'d off with this so called open telephone market we have in the UK, it is not in the consumers interest that they find themselves in the position I am in, I am locked in to NTL and can't take advantage of 1000's of special rates offered by different phone companies. It really should not be allowed to be like this.

Ken68

There is a DAYTIME Tiscali rate £5 a month 8am to 6pm 5days a week...every day..same times £8 a month..Been on it for two years no problems..about to trial Fast4.

oliverkinne

...as you like. I use call1899.co.uk to get free calls to Germany - except for a 3p connection charge. I have searched on Google to find landline numbers of ISPs in Germany and am using them now. Connections can be a bit "short-lived" sometimes, but usually I can surf at 50kbps for hours for only 3p - not 3p a minute - just 3p.

Worth checking out!!! :T

Oliver.

hercules_2

Don't touch them with a bargepole. Virtually impossible to get on line from 16.00 to 22.00 - lousy customer service - very unreliable, servers down continually - they put my price up after a year to £8.99 and wouldn't reduce it in line with current advertising - they charge your account every 28 days and insist that this is a month - a shower of sharks, as soon as broadband was available here I went to Onetel and they're great. But the sharks cut the connection as soon as I gave them a month's notice and I'd paid up front.

All details and copy emails etc given to Staffordshire Trading Standards but they've done nothing since last November - another useless shower.

Anyone out there interested in forming an anti-Fast4 pressure group?