Using an International Calling Card but still getting charged by my nework

breaking_free

Hi all.

I use Three Network pay as you go. Recently I started making a lot of international calls so I bought a Tesco calling card.

On several occasions I've been happily yakking away for an hour when I hear a voice break in "This call cannot be continued because you have insufficient credit". No, it's not my Tesco calling card running out - it's my Three network pre-pay account which has run out.

Now I know that I have to pay Three network an Access Charge to make the connection, but the "insufficient credit" warning was coming through when I was well into my calls.

So, I got hold of Three customer service and they explained to me that I pay three pence a minute on top of my Tesco calling card charges. What?

I'd always believed that you just pay an access/connection fee and after that you're only being charged by the calling card company. Am I wrong? Does anybody else make international calls and are also charged by their phone network?

Ian011

There are two parts to the call
- the call within the UK to connect to the international call-forwarding service.
- the international leg of the call.

You pay Three for the first one, unless Tesco give you a free (080) number to call.
You pay Tesco for the second one.

Will it be more cost effective to buy an inclusive bundle of calls to 01, 02 and 03 numbers from Three? Currently paying 3p per minute means that £5 gets you 166 minutes and £10 gets you 333 minutes.

Three offers cheap international calls via a five-digit mobile shortcode. Check the rates to see if they offer an even better deal.

eDicky

What access number do you use for the Tesco card? Unless you are able to use an 080 number it will be a chargeable call as usual by your network, Three.

The Tesco card is probably not very good value anyway. Look for the MSE article on international calls.

breaking_free

Thanks guys. You've both explained it very well. I'll see if there is an 0800 number for Tesco access: if not, I'll find another calling card supplier.

billsavings

They do have an alternative 0800 access number ( 0800 097 2468 ) but they charge an extra 1p a minute to call it,cheaper of course then paying 3p a minute to 3.

https://www.tescointernationalcalling.com/calling-card/


Have a look at http://www.dialacode.com/3.aspx you might find it more suitable.No need to buy card ,cost comes direct from your 3 balance.

Cisco001

Where are you calling?

i used to get lycamobile/ lebara SIM to make international phone call instead of messing up with calling card.

breaking_free

Update: After calling Three customer service and doing some very gentle complaining (plus being very nice to the call centre person) they've put £10 of credit on my phone. Nice!

Cisco001 - I'm calling New Zealand.

Billsavings - I'll have a look at your recommendation. Thanks very much.