Reduced rate calls to the UK

[olive]

First the good news, we can and do use Skype to Skype a lot.

We used to use 902 909 717 (call2abroad). That was a service that had no registration and was cheaper than via Telefonica. Looking on their website it looks as though you have to arrange credit on your account before it works. That explains why some of us on the forum encounter a tone to indicate "not available". Not so keen on setting up yet another account.

So am now starting from scratch. What are the possibilities out there for calling 3 separate elderly relatives in the UK ? What do other people use to keep their bills lower?

I'll rule out buying them a 3G enabled mobile for Skype to Skype as they will not be able to get to grips with the technology or forget to switch the phone on even.. Skype to Uk landline might be a possibility now we have a stable Internet connection.

[El Cid]

First the good news, we can and do use Skype to Skype a lot.
Skype to Uk landline might be a possibility now we have a stable Internet connection.

If you are used to Skype then use the Skype to landline option at about 2c/min

There are probably slightly cheaper options but Skype is the easiest to use if you are used to using it for Skype to Skype calls.

Sid

[Julie]

We are on talktalk.es they do a plan where you can pay 15 euro a month and speak to usa and europe for as long as you want, when you want, the service is really excellent too. With have landline and adsl with them as well.

[olive]

talktalk sounds attractive but we are served by TRAC phone so no landline/ADSL option. Internet by 3G

JaJah?

[Mowser]

I use voipcheap. You sign up and pay around €14. This gives you "free" calls for 90 days. After this you use the existing credit to call the UK. It costs then 1.5 cents a minute without a connection charge. You must have broadband though.

[alisonb]

I use Voipcheap for all our UK calls. I use my mobile to dial the access number (Spanish landline), so with Vodafone you get 90 minutes for the cost of 1, then Voipcheap is free. Although you need internet to set up your account, once you have told them the mobile number you will be calling from, you don't need internet at all. I think Mowser is referring to using your computer to call Voipcheap, but as I say, you can also do it from mobile or landline.

[quebin]

We've been using the same system as Alison,Vodafone talk for 90 minutes pay for 1 routed through Voipcheap, for about 4 years,we also use http://www.localphone.comthat gives a dedicated local (Spanish) number on your mobile for each number that you call.The cost of ringing a UK land line is 0.7c per minute and for ringing a mobile 5.5 c per minute.

[Beachcomber]

Have a look at Jajah:

www.jajah.com

You could set up accounts on your own computer for each of the relatives and they could call you using a UK access number without the need for a computer.

[Martin Page]

jajah is good and always works ... but there is a standing call cost of 70c for the 971 number ontop of the 2.3 c /min

[Beachcomber]

I have 911 (Madrid) access numbers and they don't cost me anything from my landline and only €0,35 from my mobile. I have never been charged on my Telefónica bill and only pay €0,026 per minute on my Jajah account.

[alisonb]

I've had a look at localphone and it's really cheap to call UK mobiles - only 5.5c per minute which is less than half the cost from Voipcheap. The latter is better for landlines as they are free, but some of my family only have mobiles (including me) and our computer connection makes using Skype sound like talking to Norman Collier. Had a look at Jajah, but for what we need (calling from a mobile), I think it's more expensive than localphone and Voipcheap.

[Julie]

Can anyone tell me how long it takes for localphone updates to take place on ones credit balance please ?

[rafiki]

+1 for VOIPcheap. We've used it for years which has save us a fortune. I have two accounts, a .co.uk and a .com. If the free days run out or if we exceed the 'reasonable use limit' we just switch to the other for a few days and continue to get the cheapest service.

[quebin]

Just topped up my "localphone" account.the balance updated in less than 5 minutes.

[alisonb]

I use Voipcheap for calling UK numbers and agree it saves a fortune. I hadn't heard of localphone, but have now registered. It's much cheaper for calling mobiles either Spain to UK or vice versa than Voipcheap. You can also register both UK and Spanish numbers for calling from, so you don't need 2 accounts

[Julie]

Have now started using localphone when I am out and about to ring mobiles in uk, well impressed with price and service

[Mowser]

Voipcheap however does give you 90 days of free calls before they charge you 1.5 cents per minute.

[alisonb]

Mowser - Voipcheap is better for landlines, but for mobiles, localphone is much better. The rate is about half for a UK mobile

[chrissiehope]

I've been following this thread with interest, but can't decide if these systems would be any use to me. I have a UK mobile and a Spanish mobile - the Spanish tariff (Movistar) I am on doesn't seem to let me call out of Spain (tho I can text), so when I'm in Spain, I have to use my UK mobile to call UK.

I don't really make many calls to UK when in Spain - most communication is via text, and if someone needs to speak to me I always get them to call my Spanish phone. However, there are birthdays, Christmas, emergencies etc and it would be sensible to keep costs down

Looking at both localphone & Voipcheap, they seem to be set up for being in UK and calling abroad, rather than being abroad & calling UK (using a UK phone), or am I just reading it wrong ?

[Marina]

Thanks to this thread, I'm now investigating localphone.

I know this thread is really about calls, but for anyone who likes to text, whatsapp is pretty good. There's a very small start up fee. €3.50 or something around that, and then free texts. I think you need a smart phone, so wouldn't suit everyone, but I've found it marvellous for keeping in touch with my kids.