Internet Access Discussion area

Wig

Yeah I did wonder how these "free" ISP's operate. Maybe they have advertising, or maybe most customers are expected to use an 0845 equivalent number or maybe it is just a complimentary service provided by some generous company, remember ntl used to be 100% free here, but it was tied to you using them for other calls. My money is on the advertising, which makes me wonder if there is any spyware involved.

Edinburghlass_2

Wig wrote:

Yeah I did wonder how these "free" ISP's operate. Maybe they have advertising, or maybe most customers are expected to use an 0845 equivalent number or maybe it is just a complimentary service provided by some generous company, remember ntl used to be 100% free here, but it was tied to you using them for other calls. My money is on the advertising, which makes me wonder if there is any spyware involved.

They aren't free though, you are expected to dial them through an 0845 number which would cost minimum of 1p per minute depending on the time of day used.

If you manage to find an isp that you can dial using 1899 it would be a bonus but not one that you can count on using continuously. There is no advertising involved and no spyware.

Patr100

Edinburghlass wrote:

They aren't free though, you are expected to dial them through an 0845 number which would cost minimum of 1p per minute depending on the time of day used.

The PAYG 0845 type ISPs used to take a small fraction of the cost of each call - Not a lot but with enough users it must have been viable - However the way some ISPs are being charged by their own telecoms provider was changed recently - and that has meant that some now impose a connection fee - eg Onetel now charge a connection fee of 3p in addition the cost of the call for their casual access PAYG dial up.

-.

freemae

Have recently signed up for UKonline - after quite a long trawl through the offers I could find - their`s seemed the best - 10.00/month if you sign up for a year. It does cut off after 2 hours - but usually no probs. re-connecting.
No other costs involved except the 10.00/ month. (ie: calls are free) Not the very cheapest - but maybe a bit more reliable.

Also: 1899 is no longer free (+3p connection) to Northa America (US and Canada) They are now charging 1/2 p/minute. Need to watch it.

freemae

Wig

Hi all,

I just tried manually using 1899 to ring one of those german numbers, the tariff message said 1p per min and then it did connect to a modem. I just checked the website (1899) and they still say germany is free?

Anyone know what is going on here?

andy88_2

1899 have different rates for BT and non-BT (and mobile) lines.

I'm sorry; I checked above that you mentioned NTL. But I wasn't concentrating enough; it slipped past me about access to Germany.

It is possible to ring UK numbers for 0p per minute from 1899's access. It's harder to find UK ISP numbers that work though. I suspect that 18866 and 1899 recognise some numbers and block them. Either that or some difference of line characteristics; don't know.

Wig

Andy,

Yep, you are right, they charge different rates for NTL customers and others, a pity they don't make that clear in their FAQ's. I just found via a smallprint link this page of tariffs for Ntl customers.

http://www.call1899.co.uk/mobilerates.php

However the rate for Spain is 1p via Ntl and 2p via BT, so it's not all more expensive. I'll be phoning France though and that is 2p Ntl, 1p BT (but still cheap as chips compared to what I have been paying )

I just fired off a few suggestions to customer service regarding these different rates.

Wig

Me again,

Just to say I just got a courtesy call from ntl trying to encourage me to switch to broadband, I've had these calls before and have always refused because the special offer has only been for the first 3 months, so not worth it as far as I was concerned because I don't want to pay 17.99 for internet access.

This time the offer was much improved, 1Mb access for 8.49 per month for a whole year, and then I can go back to dial up if I want. So I have said yes, and will get it installed on Monday.

However, I just realised the following:

The sales guy clarified that I would be billed 17.99 p/m for my internet, but that the telephone line rental would be free for a year. line rental is currently 9.50 p/m. Hence it is the same as 8.49 p/m for internet..........I've just thought to myself that there's not much to stop them from upping the broadband price to say, 19.99 p/m and I will be stuck to pay it, though still recieve my 9.50 discount on line rental. I suppose I'll cross that bridge when & if I come to it.

I also only realised after putting the phone down that there is a usage limit on 1Mb Ntl of 3Gb per month. I am curently on unlimited dial up, and I have no idea if I use more than 3Gb per month, I doubt it, but the point is I don't know, and he did not tell me about the usage limit.

Ho Hum, Broadband here I come

oliverkinne

...to represent a short pause. How short depends on your modem, but if you do something like 08081707474...0049 it should be enough.

Oliver.

quickfoxtango

oliverkinne wrote:

...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.

Any chance of giving us a German landline number or two?
Thanks.