Calling access numbers - UK or International?

benjus

I've found myself using my mobile (Virgin Mobile PAYG) a lot for international calls recently. I don't use vast numbers of minutes on these calls but I am still aware that I need to cut the cost. The cheapest way I have so far found to call the destinations I need is to use a provider such as Nonoh (www.nonoh.net) which has a set of access numbers in various countries, including the UK. These access numbers are generally standard landline numbers (e.g. I use an 020 access number).

However, while the Nonoh rates are excellent, I still have to pay for the call to the access number. Virgin Mobile charges their standard tariff of 15p/min, dropping to 5p/min after 5 minutes per day. I have recently been looking at some of the international offers from various providers, and notice the following:

• PAYG SIM cards such as Nomi and Lebara offer calls to some countries (e.g. the USA) for a flat rate of 4p/min
• 3 mobile has an international plan covering some countries for £15/month for up to 3000 minutes

Unfortunately for the destinations I need to call these plans either don't cover them or don't offer very competitive rates.

However, it is possible for me to call Nonoh access numbers outside the UK, then route the call through Nonoh at their rates. If I can call a Nonoh access number in one of the 4p/min destinations it would certainly be cheaper than calling the UK access number with Virgin Mobile. In fact, it would probably actually work out cheaper to route almost all my calls through Nonoh, even when I'm calling to the UK.

This sounds bizarre, an international call being cheaper than a UK call, but I can't find any PAYG tariffs offering calls to UK landlines at 4p/min. Even looking at contract deals, the inclusive minutes work out at over 5p/min unless you are prepared to commit to one of the high-spend contracts. To be honest I haven't spent much time looking at the contract option as I'd prefer to stay on PAYG.

Does anyone have an opinion on this? Is there anything I've missed on the international option which might prevent it from working or make it more expensive? Are there any cheaper deals for international calls than those listed above? Alternatively, are there any tariffs to call UK landlines at 4p/min or thereabouts that don't require committing to an expensive contract?