Calling Abroad

sogs

Hi

I usually use an 0844 number for cheap calls abroad however just seen my recent phone bill and was shocked at the cost of my call to USA, I phoned BT and they informed me that from July 2015 there are additional charges on these numbers.

I find skype quite unreliable at times and do prefer to use the phone to call abroad are there any cheaper options around that anyone could advise.

thanks

Ian011

Before 1 July 2015, special Ofcom regulation ensured that almost all of the money you paid to BT for a call to an 084, 087, 09 or 118 number was passed on and paid to the benefit of the called party operating the non-geographic number and their telecoms provider. For more than a decade, BT was prevented from making margin on call origination to these numbers. That regulation applied only to calls made from BT lines, hence the 'other providers may charge more' warning, and it ended on 1 July 2015.

Thereafter, the cost of calling these numbers was split into two parts, each separately declared. BT 's Access Charge is 10.24p per minute. Other landline providers charge between 2p and 12p per minute. Mobile providers charge between 5p and 45p per minute. On top of this is the Service Charge advertised by the service provider.


Beware that four months after these changes were made, the MSE Call Checker still fails to mention the Access Charge and the rest of the pricing details for the listed 084 and 087 numbers are also incorrect. A 'connection fee' no longer exists on these calls and the Service Charge is always a whole number of pence per minute. Wherever you see a connection fee or a non-integer per-minute rate listed for an 084, 087 or 09 number, the details are incorrect.

Many dial-through providers offer other access numbers.

Where an international dial-through provider offers an 01, 02 or 03 number, the call will count towards inclusive allowances on landlines and on mobiles else will be charged at your provider's 'geographic rate'. If that international dial-through provider requires an additional payment, you set up an account with that provider and pay a separate bill each month. There are a few where you call or text a premium rate number in advance to apply credit to the international account.

Some international dial-through providers also offer an 080 freephone number for access, but the international rate will then be slightly more expensive as the dial-through provider also has to compensate the caller's landline or mobile provider for carrying the call.



See also
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5219071
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5219756
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5292529