Best international call override numbers from Virgin landline?

LilyLarkin

Hi everyone,

After using an override number to make USA calls from my Virgin landline, I discovered the costs were a lot more than I expected, since the numbers I used were O843...etc. So the 0.5p per minute as promised by the override provider, ended up simply being Virgin's rate for non-geographical numbers.

So - I know of the free options (like Skype to Skype over smartphone wifi), but the person I'm calling is very 'low-tech', and doesn't have a smartphone. Nor seems able to download skype to their PC. Anyway.

While I'm trying to persuade them to work things out, I'm wondering if anyone knows of an override number that can be used with Virgin, that means when my phone bill comes, it will be as I expect and I won't get any nasty surprises?

I'm just on the free weekend calls package with Virgin now, as I'm a student.

Thanks!

Ian011

The advertised 0.5p per minute rate is the rate only if you call from a BT landline. It fails to mention the 16p per call connection fee. Almost all of what is paid to BT is passed on to the international dial-through provider. On 084, 087 and 09 calls, BT is uniquely prevented (by an Ofcom regulation called the NTS Retail Condition) from making margin on call origination and is always the lowest cost call price of all providers. Be clear that BT's rates differ from all other providers.

From a Virgin Media landline the same call will cost about 4p per minute plus a connection fee of around 17p per call. The international dial-through provider gets less than half a penny per minute of that.

Clarity on these call costs will improve on 1 July 2015. This is when connection fees for calling 084, 087 and 09 numbers will be scrapped and the remainder of the call cost will be split into two components, each separately declared. The price cap imposed on BT will also be lifted.

From 1 July 2015 the international dial-through provider will advertise the Service Charge for their particular number and your landline or mobile provider will advertise their Access Charge for calling all 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers. Add the two together to get the full call cost.

Find the dial-through provider with the lowest Service Charge and call it from the landline or mobile provider with the lowest Access Charge. This is the simplicity that will be delivered by the new call charge system.



See also
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5219071

LilyLarkin

Thank you very much! So basically, from Virgin (and not having inclusive calls) I can't expect to find a number that will actually give me a 0.5p or 1p a minute rate?

Ian011

Correct. The 0.5p or 1p per minute rate is the part of call cost that is charged by the international dial-through provider for the international leg of the call. On an 084, 087 or 09 number it is collected by your landline or mobile provider and then passed on to the international dial-through provider.

In addition to that payment you also have to pay your landline or mobile provider to connect you to the international dial-through provider. Instant access dial-through providers generally use 084, 087 and 09 numbers. In these cases, BT is currently prevented from making a charge for connecting and conveying the call (other than the 16p connection fee, that is) but this regulation will end on 1 July 2015. Virgin Media charge between 2p and 7p per minute depending on which 084 or 087 number you called, more if it is an 09 number, plus a connection fee in all cases. Other landline providers charge similar amounts. Mobile operators charge anything up to 44p per minute for 084 and 087 numbers and more for 09 numbers. The amount varies depending on exactly which 084, 087 or 09 number was called.

All this confusion will be cleared up on 1 July 2015. If you use an 084, 087 or 09 dial-through number, you'll pay an Access Charge to your landline or mobile provider as well as a Service Charge that is passed on to the dial-through provider. Each party will clearly declare the respective charges. From any particular landline or mobile provider, the Access Charge will be the same amount for all calls to 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers. Connection fees will also be scrapped.

Several proposed Access Charges are already known. Sky: 9.5p per minute; TalkTalk: 5p per minute; TalkTalk Mobile; 20p per minute; Vodafone: 23p per minute.

You can also make international calls via 03 (or 01 or 02) and 080 numbers. The call to the 03 (or 01 or 02) number should be inclusive in your allowance. The call to the 080 number will be free. You pay for the international leg of the call by buying international call credit in advance from the international call provider (usually by calling or texting a premium rate number with a £5 or £10 Service Charge, which pays for the top up) or they send you a separate monthly bill.

The international call rate is usually about 2p or 3p per minute more if you call the 080 number than if you call the 03 (or 01 or 02) number or any of the instant access numbers. This is because when you call the 080 number, the international dial-through provider has to compensate your landline or mobile provider for the fact that you are not paying them anything for the call, it's a freephone number.



See also
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5219071

LilyLarkin

That makes it all very clear now - thank you very much! :-)

LilyLarkin

So I might be better off using a service such as this?

http://www.simplyfone.com/mobile_override.php

duchy

Would it work out cheaper to have the VM inclusive call package overall to bring down the costs to these by-pass numbers ?

LilyLarkin

Their international call package add-on is just £5 per month for 250 minutes including USA, so it is an okay deal, for sure. However, then I'd need to commit to a 12 month contract of it, but may only require it for a couple of months.

Ian011

A fiver per month for the international add-on is not a big commitment.

If you're likely to use more than half an hour (and less than one hour) per week, it certainly seems worthwhile.

If you only need it for a few months, the case is not so clear cut.


Hold back from signing up to an inclusive deal for 084 and 087 calls.

TalkTalk has already announced that they will no longer provide inclusive calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers.

Other providers are expected to follow this move.



See also
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5224090

OldGreyFox

LilyLarkin wrote: »

I'm wondering if anyone knows of an override number that can be used with Virgin, that means when my phone bill comes, it will be as I expect and I won't get any nasty surprises?

You can use http://www.18185.co.uk/mobilerates.php via its 0808 Freephone Number.

4p connection and 1p a minute to call a USA Landline.

Its also handy if you want to make peak/evening UK Landline Calls etc 5p connection and 1p a minute to 01/02/03 numbers.