Tesco Mobile SIM Card

andy88_2

It's a very similar operation using an Orange access number instead of the ex-Dolphin one. It has fewer countries, but all UK mobiles can be called through it as matrix999 told us on another thread, though it doesn't say so.

If you use one of these, make sure not to press Send after the second (destination) number, or to avoid force of habit enter both numbers with pause between then Send.

pricefighter

No you dont get inclusive minutes with your Tesco Sim Card.All calls to any network or or landline are 20p, and all texts are 10p.But you are allowed to nominate 3 numbers normally friends where you get these half price eg 10p calls, 5p texts.Therefore if you nominate the Simply Fone or Predial number as a friend ,and it is accepted you can make intl calls,and cross network calls for just 10p a minute.Otherwise they will be 20p a min.

jon_r_2

i have 18866 preset as one of my 3 fav's. i have decided to go for ' mobileshop'... bt mobile sim only offer..., it uses the same network. the offer is zero by redemption, i just hope these guys are reliable at redeeming their vouchers

Lugh_Chronain

Sorry Pricefighter I’m mistaking cross network minutes with inclusive minutes, how dim of me.

I will have a look at Pre-Dial and Simply-Fone more thoroughly one day. All this info is a bit beyond me at the moment.

However, with Pre-Dial, as they say, the number 0779 231 6447 will be charged at the rate for calling an Orange mobile phone. Am I right in thinking that if I were to nominate this as a favourite it will be only 10p/min and no more?

If that is right then this is not bad.

Mind you I may not use either of the above but it’s good to know just in case.

I tend to use the CallChecker for calls from landlines if I need to make calls abroad, but then again who doesn’t, except those who don’t have internet access and/or those who don’t know about MoneySavingExpert.com of course.

pricefighter

Yes if you nominate the Orange Access No 0779 231 6447and they accept it calls will be only charged at 10p a min.Pre-Dial also have a O2 access no 0773 066 6890 which only works at evenings and weekends,but this doesnt reach as many countries as the other one.

The other option is what John_ R has done is if you are with 18866/1899 is to register there landline access number,calls to this would be 10p plus your 18866/1899 charges.

Lugh_Chronain

I guess in a money saving way of thinking it’s more about which option is cheapest. I can’t help thinking for e.g if you nominate 1899/18866 you will be charged the 2p/3p connection fee + the tariff for the destination you call + the 10p Tesco will charge for the nominated number. It’s not quite a saving but still it’s cheaper than other network tariffs I suppose but this is not the reason I’m switching to Tesco. Like most people I’m switching to save so I would go for the cheapest option.

Anyway, why would anyone use this system if you can access another for cheaper? This is not a criticism, everybody has there own preferences and some peoples circumstances are different to others for saving money. It’s not just about saving money too it’s about getting value for money as well I guess. Well it is isn't it??

I just don’t see the point in spending more on something when you can get it for less somewhere else. But as I have mentioned everybody has there own preferences and some peoples circumstances are different to others for saving money etc…

And another thing, why nominate Pre-Dial/Simply-Fone as a favourite for calling other networks? I thought if you nominated a number regardless of which network it is with Tesco will only charge half the usual price anyway.

Again this is not a criticism, I’m just curious.

pricefighter

True if you use the 18866/1899 option you do have to pay the connection and call charges but never the less its still a cheaper option then making saying an intl call direct.

I personally would plump for the simply-fone/pre-dial option as this the cheapest.

Yes you can nominate 3 numbers of your choice and reach them at half price but that limits you to those 3 numbers only.If you nominate a pre-dial/simply-fone number and use it,you get all your uk/mobile calls for half price,including Intl Calls which are not included in the Tesco half price offer.(You do of course have to dial 2 numbers,and if they are engaged/unobtainable you get charged for a min call).

Lugh_Chronain

Still I think I will stick to using landline via access number for calls abroad. For me this is the cheapest option. However, your tip is a very handy one indeed, especially if you can get all uk/mobile calls for half price instead of just the nominated ones.

Just a thought too, are these access numbers (Simply-Dial/Pre-Dial) free once you are connected to their service for calling UK mobiles/landlines?? It seems like from what you are saying. Otherwise it wouldn’t be half price would it??

:beer:

pricefighter

Yes if they allow you to nominate them, you would only be charged for once for the call to them.The follow on call is not charged.(The follow on call couldnt be charged anyway,because you dont have to open an account to use them like you do on 18866).

assscat

Unfortunately, Tesco charges 50p+ a minute for "premium rate" numbers, which I assume includes 0870 and 0905 (Simply Dial) and 0871 (Pre-Dial). (I know that 0870 is "national rate" but don't mobile tarrifs treat non-geographic/non-mobile numbers as premium rate?) So no good for Tesco Mobile PAYG.

However, I notice that Pre-Dial has this access number 0779 231 6447 (with the instruction "For Contract users on all mobile networks allowing the use of inclusive minutes to mobile phones", but I don't see what difference contract or PAYG makes in this case) which I think is a mobile number. In fact, Pre-Dial says lower down the page: "The number 0779 231 6447 will be charged at the rate for calling an Orange mobile phone." I wonder if this applies to calls from mobiles too, or whether it is just the BT landline cost. Tesco charges 20p/min for all mobile numbers at all times of the day, so by adding this one to your three favourite numbers it'll cost just 10p/min at all times, thus halving the call cost from Tesco Mobile!

Could someone please confirm this is the case, i.e. that the 0779 number is an actual mobile number and therefore charged at regular mobile rates when calling from a mobile?

I don't understand what the "points" system is they're talking about, though. Not sure if it affects anything??