Phoning the UK from abroad

pmat

Hi all. A good mate of mine is currently working abroad (Kazakhstan) and has been using his Vodaphone contract phone to call friends and family in the UK. His bill this month came to small fortune, as you can imagine. Anyway, I told him that i'd ask around to see if there are any deals or companies who offer cheap rates when phoning the UK from abroad. So, anyone know of anyone offering cheaper calls on your mobile from Kazakhstan???

cheers

Pmat

alf

When I am abroad, I usually text my family the number of a landline for them to call me on. They then call me for a few p a min using the access # here from call checker.

se999

We use emails a lot, especially when in different time zones. You do get used to it!!

Family is gradually getting into using Skype too, I don't know much about it yet though, I'm the last to go over!! I think there are a few alternatives to this.

We do also use local landline numbers for incoming UK calls.

We only use the mobiles for emergency use.

boatman

get a local sim card for his phone.

http://www.kcell.kz/en/

http://www.k-mobile.kz/ru/

pmat

thanks guys for the info.
I don't think the Kaz mobile companies are too great with their pricing (£1.50/min i've been told), don't know if this is correct Boatman?

Se999, he doesn't have internet access at his apartment but he is trying to find out if he can get it installed (unlikely).

Alf, he tends to use that method but he doesn't expect everyone to use it.

There are a few companies around like 1899,etc. do they provide any overseas to uk calling plans?
Thanks again for your help.

Pmat

boatman

He could always ask a local to search the internet for their local version of '1899'. go to a local hotel and ask around.

alf

Have a look at this callback service http://www.enlinea.com/

MLee_3

Has anyone used iSkoot? http://www.iskoot.com

It claims that you can use your mobile phone to make VOIP calls, routed through your computer, at a fraction of the cost of standard mobile calls. It only works with Skype though.

I'd be interested to hear people's opinion on it. Oh, and it has a free 30 day trial on at the moment.

grumbler

My friend told me that calling cards are abailable in Kazakhstan that allow calling to UK for about 20p/min via landline access. If your friend does not have access to a landline phone, these cards can be used in combination with some local sim-card.

Also if your mate has local sim-card calls from UK to Kazakhstan mobiles can cost as little as just 4p through 1899 (See CallChecker ).

Quasar

I am with T-mobile, and they offer deals for calls from abroad. The deals are cheaper texts and cheaper rates per minutes. I don't have full details to hand however, but I received their offer in a mid August mailshot.

egbe

Is that just the International Option they have had for some time, or a hint of a new product like Vodafone's Passport?