BT Digital Voice and Carrier Codes

condoghost

Last year BT sold me on switching from analogue to digital voice.
Now I look to use the international call services such as 18866 and I discover - unlike with traditional analogue - BT Digital Voice is able to not support connection via these carrier codes money grabbing 'make it difficult for our customers' dinosaurs.
What are my alternatives for making international calls given I have no mobile, no What's App and no microphone for my PC.
Thank-you

iniltous

Absolutely nothing stopping you getting a traditional VoIP supplier via an ATA and using them as well as or instead of your BTDV , only your BT DV will work via the telephone port on the BT router , but a standalone ATA can be used with a BT router once a VoIP supplier has provided you with an account ….if you want to access ‘dial a code’ in front of the phone number type telephone carriers , that was only possible because of the way PSTN worked , and the regulator demanding it be available, something only BT had to provide BTW , IP telephony isn’t the same …

FWIW many of these dial through providers don’t exist anymore , there is some internet ‘chat’ about customers with a few quid credit unable to make calls or get the credit balance refunded.

condoghost

iniltous said:

FWIW many of these dial through providers don’t exist anymore , there is some internet ‘chat’ about customers with a few quid credit unable to make calls or get the credit balance refunded.

I had no problem using 18866 in the past and in real terms we have the same issues eg Skype and PAYG when it comes to getting a credit balance refunded. The thing is 'what are the alternatives today specifically using IP telephony to make the odd international call here and there without it costing an arm and a leg' and still keep connected with BTDV?

flaneurs_lobster

condoghost said:

The thing is 'what are the alternatives today specifically using IP telephony to make the odd international call here and there without it costing an arm and a leg' and still keep connected with BTDV?

Using the handset via DV? None I'm aware of other than BT's 'native' International calling.

If you were to get headphone/microphone that connects to your PC (plug-in/Bluetooth) then there are dozens of providers of International Calling via IP. 

Or Zoom, or Messenger for free....

QrizB

Or a standalone SIP phone plus a cheap VoIP provider.

I've got a Polycom IP321 phone and it seems to work well. About £15 on eBay (make sure you get a PSU too, unless you've got a PoE-capable router). Other makes and models are available.

iniltous

condoghost said:

iniltous said:

FWIW many of these dial through providers don’t exist anymore , there is some internet ‘chat’ about customers with a few quid credit unable to make calls or get the credit balance refunded.

I had no problem using 18866 in the past and in real terms we have the same issues eg Skype and PAYG when it comes to getting a credit balance refunded. The thing is 'what are the alternatives today specifically using IP telephony to make the odd international call here and there without it costing an arm and a leg' and still keep connected with BTDV?

I’d already answered that , a separate VoIP provider that you research and sign up to , and an analogue telephone adapter you provide or possibly the VoIP company provides one , to enable you to connect to that VoIP service …you (if you wanted ) use the BTDV when wanted (presumably mainly for incoming calls  ) and any international calls you use the third party  VoIP account , if you are asking is there a VoIP provider that doesn’t charge a monthly fee and only bills you for calls you make , so if in a particular month you don’t make  a call so no charge is raised , that may be difficult to find and  something you would need to research yourself…using a third party VoIP and DV together isn’t complicated, only the BTDV ‘port’ connected phone will be on BTDV ,  you use the ATA connection to use the third party VoIP service , that is once you have selected one and signed up .

QrizB

Not a personal recommendation, but they have a great reputation: Andrews and Arnold charge £1.20 per month (£1+VAT) once you've set up your account, and their call charges aren't terrible:

https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/

(Note that when I tried signing up the cheapest number in my area code was £1.44pm.)

condoghost

Thx everyone, just hadn't realised how different things are analogue vs digital. 18866 have an option with mobile phone, I'll look to use that.

flaneurs_lobster

condoghost said:

Thx everyone, just hadn't realised how different things are analogue vs digital. 18866 have an option with mobile phone, I'll look to use that.

Your OP has you not having a mobile, hence all the non-mobile suggestions.

Welcome to the 21st Century.

JSmithy45AD

flaneurs_lobster said:

condoghost said:

Thx everyone, just hadn't realised how different things are analogue vs digital. 18866 have an option with mobile phone, I'll look to use that.

Your OP has you not having a mobile, hence all the non-mobile suggestions.

Welcome to the 21st Century.

And no microphone for the PC which is apparently an insurmountable problem