Overrides for calls from mobiles

Telegraph_Sam

I use my O2 PAYG mobile for occasional use only - calls to landlines @ 15p if I interpret the tariff correctly. But now BT OpenReach have deprived me of landline and internet access for 10 days whilst they try to repair a fault, during which time I will be totally dependent on the PAYG mobile. I can't find any MSE guidance on ways to reduce calls FROM mobiles. Does this not exist or am I looking in the wrong place? Can I reduce my charges by phoning via one of the indirect routes as for landline calls, or are the ground rules different?

Buzby

Do you mean reducing costs TO mobiles? The cheapest is to use a mobile to mobile call. As for Openreach, it's a fault and probably not theirs, but it may take UP TO 10 working days to fix, so ensure you get your rental rebated.

grumbler

The only way is to change the tariff or the provider.
'3' charge just 3p/min on PAYG (your phone has to be unlocked).
If it is locked to O2 try giffgaff (200 minutes for £7.50 or 60 for £5) or tesco lite

ETA: O2 offer two BoltOns on PAYG, but I think neither suits your needs:

Your O2 Numbers

£5 a month

»View details


O2 Friends

£4.99 a month

»View details

Telegraph_Sam

Thanks for both replies. No, the problem is (mainly) for calls FROM my O2 PAYG mobile since this is now my only contact with civilization. It's not worth changing provider if I can assume that OpenReach will repair the fault within their (now - moving goal posts) 10 day deadline. I thought I had read somewhere about "mobile overriders" but I could be confusing this with calls TO mobiles.
[Or I suppose I could take up giffgaff whilst staying with O2 for when things normalize? The unit was originally a very basic Tesco mobile but I seem to remember getting it unlocked in order to switch to O2. But it doesn't give me internet access]

grumbler

Telegraph_Sam wrote: »

..It's not worth changing provider if I can assume that OpenReach will repair the fault ...

What does switching have to do with OpenReach, especially if the phone is unlocked?
'3' 3/2/1 and Ovivo 'freedom' are definitely worth considering.

Telegraph_Sam

What I meant was that if the landline / internet fault gets repaired in say a week at that point I will revert to using the mobile on an occasional basis only. This would not then justify making any major changes now. Which prompted the thought of using a "mobile override" - if this exists - as a temporary measure. But it seems to be a bit more complicated than I had imagined particularly if I can't use the internet at home for switching purposes etc.

redux

You might look at their cheap international calls, then use a callthrough access based in another country, even for calls to UK.

Or sign up with a third party service offering callback. This is a scheme for setting up two outgoing calls, the first to your phone, then connecting them together. It's possible to find rates of a penny or two a minute.

I'd suggest Localphone and the range of Dellmont VoIP brands e.g DialNow for either of the options above

billsavings

Telegraph_Sam wrote: »

Can I reduce my charges by phoning via one of the indirect routes as for landline calls, or are the ground rules different?

No indirect access numbers like 1899 dont work on mobiles.and to phone a 01/02/03 one would not save you money.

Long term solution use a cheaper supplier.:D

NiftyDigits

billsavings wrote: »

No indirect access numbers like 1899 dont work on mobiles.and to phone a 01/02/03 one would not save you money.

Long term solution use a cheaper supplier.:D

Will work with GiffGaff using the 0808 number.

billsavings

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Will work with GiffGaff using the 0808 number.

I was saying indirect access numbers eg 1899, 18185 will not work from a mobile.The 0808 facility although very handy if you have giff gaff is not an indirect access number as such.;)

Telegraph_Sam

I believe that the O2 standard PAYG mobile rates are not too bad in comparison with the standard high street market rates but from what you say it sounds like a good idea to sign up to giffgaff also - can I run both or would I have to switch? - and figure out how to use the 0808 (followed by the correspondent's number??) solution. What I do greatly appreciate from O2 is the web based free texting facility which saves ... ing around with *'s and #'s and things on my basic mobile handset, which just shows my age / lack of dexterity.