Cheap Calls - guide discussion

Former_MSE_Nick · 20 January 2016 at 6:06PM

Hi all,

We've written a new Cheap Calls guide and would love your feedback.

How did you find the info? Was it useful? Do you have any other tips you'd add?

Thanks for your help!

MSE Nick

Ian011 · 20 January 2016 at 8:42PM

Indirect Access providers such as '18185' have various access numbers including 18185, 18866 and 1899, etc, but these only work from BT and a few other landlines.

These indirect access providers also offer other ways to use their service - such as 080 numbers for those calling from other landlines or from mobiles.

In almost all cases you settle your bill via DD on a monthly basis.

Other dial-through providers traditionally offer 'instant access' 084 and 087 numbers, with the Service Charge paying for the international leg of the call.

As the Access Charge can be quite high, especially from mobiles, many of these services also offer 03 or 080 access numbers. This requires a different method of paying for the international leg of the call - usually via a separate DD in arrears or a top-up via a premium rate number in advance.

If you have inclusive calls to 0845 or 0870 numbers and can find a service whose numbers are still included, you can make essentially free calls to a variety of destinations.

This may include calls to landlines and mobiles in Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man, calls to UK mobile numbers, calls to 084 and 087 numbers with a Service Charge of less than 10p per minute and calls to landlines and mobiles in various countries all over the world.

There are many ways to save money but do first check the rates charged by your landline or mobile provider for direct dialled calls. In some cases, these calls can be very cheap. Some mobile providers offer calls to selected international destinations for only a few pence per minute. Likewise some landline providers offer inclusive calls to a number of international destinations as part of their various call packages.

Roger1 · 21 January 2016 at 10:25AM

With such an array of information already included, it seems a pity that there's no mention of using these from mobiles:

Toggle PAYG - http://www.togglemobile.co.uk/home/en
Three 3-2-1 PAYG - http://www.three.co.uk/Store/Pay_As_You_Go_Price_Plans?id=1523&aidset=1

Comparing with the examples in the article:
- 90p for a 30 minute call to a German or Australian landline (£2.70 to a German or Australian mobile) with Toggle;
- 90p for a 30 minute call to a German or Australian landline with Three using short codes;
- 90p for a 30 minute call to a UK mobile or landline with Three 3-2-1

These complement 18185 which we use on our landline and are a lot less fiddly than some of the suggested routines.

Former_MSE_Nick · 22 January 2016 at 1:23PM

Hi Roger1,

Thanks for your feedback. However the method of using a VoIP as suggested in the guide, yields lower prices than both of the methods you've mentioned. You can see this in the table - the other, more expensive options are there to highlight the difference in cost to more expensive options.

You might consider them less fiddly methods, but in fact you still have to order a Sim, top it up, use it in your mobile (or have spare mobile for the same purpose). Paying via a VoIP means you just create an account online and add credit, and can calls via your mobile without switching sim, or via your landline. And as I mentioned it's actually cheaper.

Correct me if I'm missing something but doesn't that make sense?

Nick

Roger1 · 23 January 2016 at 10:49AM

Thanks, Nick.

MSE_Nick wrote: »

You might consider them less fiddly methods, but in fact you still have to order a Sim, top it up, use it in your mobile (or have spare mobile for the same purpose).

Or, as in our case, use the mobiles we already have.

Paying via a VoIP means you just create an account online ...

In our case, that would mean creating an extra account with the need to top up now and again.

As you suggest, cost and convenience are important. We're happy with whatsapp and the occasional Skype from home and Three/Toggle when out and about. These also have benefits when travelling but they're outside the scope of this thread.

wendy05 · 15 March 2016 at 3:29PM

any possibility of getting the call checker utility back .. it is very useful in getting quick access numbers

Alloneword · 17 March 2016 at 1:43AM

wendy05 wrote: »

any possibility of getting the call checker utility back .. it is very useful in getting quick access numbers

Ditto, was going to ring me dad in Aus tonight but checker seems to have gone.

Question, How are we supposed to save money if you remove it for the odd call now and then?

All1

Charbles_2 · 17 March 2016 at 2:27PM

what happen to Call checker compare website.

Charbles_2 · 17 March 2016 at 2:32PM

Please bring call checker back.

Alloneword · 18 March 2016 at 12:00AM

MSE, Anyone happy to comment on this one?

All1

Ian011 · 18 March 2016 at 1:55AM

Since Ofcom's reforms of 08 and 09 numbers effective 1 July 2015 the call checker had been showing incomplete information and incorrect prices.

Presumably it has been taken offline while it is amended to work with the new call charge system. It needs to be loaded up with the Access Charge for each landline and mobile network and the Service Charge for each block of 084, 087 and 09 numbers.

Cheap Calls - guide discussion

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