Cheap calls though 18185 - experiences please?

derrick

diamond_dave wrote: »

Just found out that 18185 has just increased its charges to 1/2 p per minute. No notice at all. Pretty shabby, not being informed.

1899 have done the same.

18866 are still at 0ppm, but will probably change as they have the same parent company

18185 link.

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littlemoney

Found the same thing this morning when went to make a call. Not happy but still cheaper than my provider as I don't have any inclusive calls.

Ian011

Given that 084 numbers have a Service Charge of up to 7p per minute and 087 numbers have a Service Charge of up to 13p per minute, and noting that landline providers have an Access Charge of up to 12p per minute for these calls, it is surprising to see 18185 still advertising that calls to 0845 and 0870 numbers will cost 3p per minute. Have they not yet realised they are losing money on most calls made?

poppasmurf_bewdley

Ian011 wrote: »

Have they not yet realised they are losing money on most calls made?

How many calls ARE being made to 084 numbers these days?

I know I haven't made a call to one in at least a year and probably much longer.

milbern

18866 has also introduced a 0.5 p per minute charge to UK landlines today (in addition to the 5p charge for making a call). Two hours ago its website was showing 0p per minute. Now it's been updated as has 18185.

polly_tunnel

Have been using 18185 for years at 0p per min to avoid BT exorbitant charges (17p connection fee + 10p/min .... talk about a ripoff!). But now found out that BT are charging a 10.24p/min Access Charge for 084 and 087 numbers which is a blow. Just have to use a mobile or Skypecall as a lot cheaper!

frank777

Thanks for that diamond dave :beer: - They always charge virginmedia callers 1p per minute for UK fixed lines (in addition to the 5p charge for making a call). I got the Sky MSE deal in June £5.35 for Broadband & Phone for the year - I must register my sky telephone with 18185 for the 0.5 p per minute charge and keep my eye on the ball

Ian011

polly_tunnel wrote: »

But now found out that BT are charging a 10.24p/min Access Charge for 084 and 087 numbers which is a blow. Just have to use a mobile or Skypecall as a lot cheaper!

On 1 July 2015, Ofcom ended the regulation that had previously capped BT's undeclared Access Charge such that they made no margin on call origination. After that date, BT's Access Charge is much the same as other landline providers and all providers came under new regulation to declare this charge.

Depending on which landline provider is used, the Access Charge can vary from 2p to 12p per minute. Mobile providers charge anywhere from 5p to 45p per minute.

redux

derrick's prediction come true - 18866 now also 0.5p

Bit more persuasion now needed in this house to use internet calls instead.

We have a cordless extension which can have up to 6 VoIP accounts registered, though only one in use at the moment. But the other person in the house doesn't like dialling on that handset ...

Also my mobile connects to house wifi and has some VoIP applications installed. Some of those give free credit for watching ads (or pretending to) and installing other applications, mostly games (start once then remove most of them later).

Ian011

Given that the termination rate for calls to 01 and 02 numbers is 0.21p per minute and for 03 numbers is 0.56p per minute, and given that the retail charge for calling 03 numbers must not exceed that for 01 and 02 numbers, charging 0.5p per minute for calls to 01, 02 and 03 numbers seems wholly reasonable. Indeed, it is surprising that it isn't a little bit higher.

The termination rate for calls to 071-075 and 077-079 mobile numbers is 0.68p per minute, so the retail charge for those calls shouldn't be much more than that for calls to 01, 02 and 03 numbers, but nearly all providers do charge a lot extra for calls to mobile numbers.