Calling 0844 number from Talk Talk?

andygb

I am thinking of switching to Talk Talk or maybe Sky, but need to know how much it will cost to make a call abroad via PlanetTalk and a 0844985 access number.
A the moment on BT we pay a single connection charge for the 0844 number, then it drops to 3p per minute for the call.
I cannot work out with Talk Talk, whether it will be the connection charge - 15p - plus 8p a minute, plus the call at 3.5p per minute or just the connection charge plus the 3.5p as with BT.
Can anyone please help?

Ypaymore

Dont bother using that to help you decide. Due to the new make it clearer charging arrangements etc intoduced by Ofcom for 084/087 etc that come into force on the 1/7/15. It want be cost effective to use a 084/087 intl dial through service.for longer calls.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/phones/2015/05/calls-to-084-087-09-and-118-to-be-clearer-but-prices-vary-wildly

http://www.ukcalling.info/

What destination are you calling ? Do you have inclusive minutes ?

Ian011

Currently, BT charge 15.97p connection then 3p per minute. Most of that money is passed on to the service provider. The NTS Retail Condition imposed by Ofcom for the last couple of decades prevents BT from making margin on call origination to 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers.

TalkTalk also has a connection fee of around 16p per minute. They charge about 8p per minute for the call. They pass on the same amount as BT does, and retain the rest.

On 1 July 2015, Ofcom will end the NTS Retail Condition and BT will be able to make margin on these calls for the first time.

The call prices will also be declared in a different way. Calls to 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers will consist of:
Access Charge advertised by your landline or mobile provider (per minute rate), plus
Service Charge advertised by the service you are using/calling (per minute or per call rate).

BT's Access Charge will be 9.58p per minute.
Sky's Access Charge will be 9.5p per minute.
TalkTalk's Access Charge will be 5p per minute.
Virgin Media's Access Charge will be 10.25p per minute.
EE Home Phone's Access Charge will be 11p per minute.

The service provider will tell you what their Service Charge is.

You might want to investigate call providers who offer 020, 03 or 080 numbers as these will be more cost effective.



See also
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5219071
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5230983
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5230985

andygb

Ian011 wrote: »

Currently, BT charge 15.97p connection then 3p per minute. Most of that money is passed on to the service provider. The NTS Retail Condition imposed by Ofcom for the last couple of decades prevents BT from making margin on call origination to 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers.

TalkTalk also has a connection fee of around 16p per minute. They charge about 5p or 6p per minute for the call. They pass on the same amount as BT does, and retain the rest.

On 1 July 2015, Ofcom will end the NTS Retail Condition and BT will be able to make margin on these calls for the first time.

The call prices will also be declared in a different way. Calls to 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers will consist of:
Access Charge advertised by your landline or mobile provider (per minute rate), plus
Service Charge advertised by the service you are using/calling (per minute or per call rate).

BT's Access Charge will be 9.58p per minute.
TalkTalk's Access Charge will be 5p per minute.

The service provider will tell you what their Service Charge is.

You might want to investigate call providers who offer 020, 03 or 080 numbers as these will be more cost effective.



See also
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5219071
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5230983
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5230985

Therefore, in July I should simply pay 5p (Talk Talk) for the access charge, and then 3.5p per minute to Planet Talk for the duration of the call?

Ypaymore

andygb wrote: »

Therefore, in July I should simply pay 5p (Talk Talk) for the access charge, and then 3.5p per minute to Planet Talk for the duration of the call?

Yes as far as Talk Talk is concerned but Planet havent announced what they will charge yet.

Not money saving, cheaper ways of doing it.

Twister84

Which countries do you call? Check out TalkTalk's international boosts as they may be better options.

If the country isn't covered, you'll get reduced rates which may be cheaper than dialling an 0844 number anyway.


http://help2.talktalk.co.uk/about-international-boosts#tabdisplay_2

http://help2.talktalk.co.uk/international-call-rates

Hope that helps :j

OldGreyFox

Talk Talk offer a free calling circle which might be useful to you.

http://help2.talktalk.co.uk/how-can-i-save-money-calling-circle

Having seen what other companies are charging to call service numbers, dont be surprised if the Bean Counters at Talk Talk dont increase them.

Ian011

If you already know the 0844 number, you can look up the provisional Service Charge using Ofcom's SCMS spreadsheet.

Service Charges will always be a round number of pence including VAT. Most service providers have chosen a rate which is very close to their existing charges.

tronator

andygb wrote: »

Therefore, in July I should simply pay 5p (Talk Talk) for the access charge, and then 3.5p per minute to Planet Talk for the duration of the call?

You still haven't answered what countries you're calling. Depending on whether you're calling landline or mobile numbers, a VOIP provider like Sipgate might be an option. Then you don't need to care about an access charge.

https://www.sipgate.co.uk/basic/products#!rates

I use Sipgate with my normal telephone, since my router has built-in VOIP, as well as on my PC with a soft phone.