UK's Cheapest Home Phone Calls Provider/MoneySavingExpert.com Discussion

kaydee

I'd seen that page - it's just that they are not always bang up to date on the web site and I remember in the past that they mirrored BT who are now on 6am to 6 pm !
Also I can't see the 0845 and 0870 prices - or am I being blind?!
Cheers.

poshpix

I have used the international call checker with great success for months now. But I think that some prominence and recognition can be given to VoIP - see their website - http://www.voipcheap.co.uk/en/rates.html - for rates that include absolutely free calls to landlines throughout the UK and certain international territories 24 hours a day: Currently the folowing countries are completely free (no connection fee, no call charges):

Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, France, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, Poland and of course the UK

Some of the rest of their rates are pretty competitive too (check their site) - but just like in Martin's CallChecker - you have to compare first. You pay in advance for calls that have any costs - via Visa, PayPal, Solo Switch or there's also a Pay by Phone option.

The "catch" is that the calls come from your PC with a headset and mike but they do go to landlines and mobiles (without any problems) and so far the quality and service levels I have experienced are pretty impressive with those at the end of the line saying the clarity is better than many landline to landline calls.

As for my own UK calls - I signed up for TalkTalk for a year some time ago but will take Martin's advice to switch when I can. Actually TalkTalk haven't been that bad since I have free calls to USA and Canada for a year in a promo package they offered but I know that I can do better!

Using the VoIP service for the UK seems to work well (and it should be noted that there are telephone type handsets available - via eBay and elsewhere - that plug into the PC or MAC sound card - for anyone who feels silly donning headphones and mic.

The main disadvantage of brilliant services like Skype is that the person at the other end has to be a. at their computer and b. signed up to the service and c. be equipped with sound card and headset. With VoIP you are in control since only your end needs to be sorted. I think it's a brilliant service and not beyond the wit and wisdom of MoneySavingExperts. :j

Tania_2

Many thanks Claretherookery; did same as you rang One-Tel and they've credited account by £3.99 and will do so each month for next year. They just asked few questions about who I wanted to change to, how long they were offering free calls, etc. Will have to remember next October to ring them again. Yeh - one year free without having to mess about changing.
LOL
Tania

mike_pearson

Maybe it's just me, but more and more of my phone bill is for calls to non-geographic numbers (0845 or 0870). https://www.saynoto0870.com helps a bit but the numbers they quote have often been disconnected and there seems to be no alternative for people like the Inland Revenue for example.

After a bit of rudimentary research I have concluded that BT is as good as any for these calls. Does anyone know any better?

pricefighter

mike_pearson wrote:

Maybe it's just me, but more and more of my phone bill is for calls to non-geographic numbers (0845 or 0870). https://www.saynoto0870.com helps a bit but the numbers they quote have often been disconnected and there seems to be no alternative for people like the Inland Revenue for example.

After a bit of rudimentary research I have concluded that BT is as good as any for these calls. Does anyone know any better?

See my reply on this recent thread which covers this issue.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=98560

As for the Inland Revenue their are a whole lot of numbers just been added to 0870 site

Dave_The_Rave_2

Martin's article is superb, good summary, but refers to Primus Saver (Option 2). Can anyone actually find this on the Primus website link ????? Or has this option been withdrawn recently ??

frank58

neither the article nor the just-dial website quote comparative prices for dialling 0845 or 0870 numbers - if its more than the BT rate any savings over 18866 etc could be wiped out by just one cal to a call centre (yes I know about saynoto0870 but they don't cover everything

pricefighter

frank58 wrote:

neither the article nor the just-dial website quote comparative prices for dialling 0845 or 0870 numbers - if its more than the BT rate any savings over 18866 etc could be wiped out by just one cal to a call centre (yes I know about saynoto0870 but they don't cover everything

if you @@ at the thread i mentioned above(post37) you will see the cheapest way of dialling them.Its definitely not Justdialsaver

pricefighter

Dave_The_Rave wrote:

Martin's article is superb, good summary, but refers to Primus Saver (Option 2). Can anyone actually find this on the Primus website link ????? Or has this option been withdrawn recently ??

How about https://www.planet-talk.co.uk/saverproducts.aspx?source=saver

daveonline

I have signed up with just dial to get free W/E and evening calls, i also use the international call checker when i need to phone Spain.
My question is if i now phone Spain using a company that comes up on the international call checker ( the numbers usually start 0844 etc ) will this be routed via just dial so in effect i will pay twice for international calls or will the call be automatically routed via the company that comes up on the checker. ???
Many Thanks.