Cheap phone calls to the USA? * resolved, see post #27 *

Feek · 30 May 2019 at 20:25

I need to call a friend in the USA that I've not spoken to for some time and have been looking at various options. One I found is this. Has anyone used this sort of service and if so, are there any catches? It looks too good to be true which generally means that it is!

Calling via the internet or using Skype/WhatsApp/Messenger audio isn't an option.

Thanks.

NoobCannon · 30 May 2019 at 20:33

Why cant you use whatsapp out of interest?

Are they in a backwards area with no internet but mobile signal?

M1k3H · 30 May 2019 at 20:43

I used to use Skype credit to phone friends/family abroad. Was cheaper at the time than most else options, plus you get a number assigned so people can phone you on an actual number.

iamdjdz · 30 May 2019 at 22:54

I found this one:
http://www.callusafree.co.uk/

No idea if it's any good or whether it signs your number up for countless other things though. I'd give it a go personally.

tres · 30 May 2019 at 23:04

NoobCannon said:
Why cant you use whatsapp out of interest?

Are they in a backwards area with no internet but mobile signal?

You could still use Skype on your end to ring a USA landline, and works out at 2p a minute, or 2.40 for unlimited

Old Man · 31 May 2019 at 01:27

Can't do much better than this: http://www.justcall.co.uk/cheap-calls-to-usa

1p per minute for landlines and mobiles

Another choice would be to check with your landline provider to see if you have a special deal for international calls as mine has it for free to most countries for a total of £5 monthly.

breadturbo · 31 May 2019 at 02:37

Do you not have a contract mobile? most now include US calls in the minutes don't they (I know 3 and EE do)

terley · 31 May 2019 at 02:59

Use facebook..

Diddums · 31 May 2019 at 05:47

terley said:
Use facebook..

Feek said:
Calling via the internet or using Skype/WhatsApp/Messenger audio isn't an option.

It's literally right there, in black and white :confused:

As @Old Man says, Justcall. I use them to call Saffrica all the time, cheapest of the lot, unless you want to spend forever digging for less convenient options to save a penny a minute at most.

Sudden · 31 May 2019 at 07:16

I used to use those sorts of numbers to call India earlier. THey were a bit of a pain, but used to work. The 'connection charge' was the main 'catch'. Years ago (before switching to WhatsApp, which I understand isn't an option here), giffgaff's rates for international calling were excellent. I just checked and US is 2p/min (you'll need a giffgaff sim of course and top it up with credit) - https://www.giffgaff.com/international.

Might be worth getting a sim and using that if you're not already on giffgaff if you intend to call regularly. No contracts etc.

wedrum · 31 May 2019 at 07:18

Pawnless Endgame · 31 May 2019 at 08:09

Any form of VoIP, internet-based calls. Skype is already mentioned but any form of VoIP would do I'd imagine. Teamspeak, Ventrillo etc. If you're making frequent calls, then purchase a Teamspeak server like I did for £3 a month.

Psycho Sonny · 31 May 2019 at 08:37

Pawnless Endgame said:
Any form of VoIP, internet-based calls. Skype is already mentioned but any form of VoIP would do I'd imagine. Teamspeak, Ventrillo etc. If you're making frequent calls, then purchase a Teamspeak server like I did for £3 a month.

First of all he cant use internet.

Second of all discord, WhatsApp, Skype are all free. So why would he spend £3 a month on team speak?

Feek · 31 May 2019 at 10:08

I'm deliberately ignoring everyone who has suggested anything to do with the internet or Skype, WhatsApp, Messenger etc because I've already said that's not possible.

breadturbo said:
Do you not have a contract mobile? most now include US calls in the minutes don't they (I know 3 and EE do)

I'm with EE but even looking at their international calls add-on, the best price I can see is 8p/minute. Can you point me somewhere that says different?

Old Man said:
Can't do much better than this: http://www.justcall.co.uk/cheap-calls-to-usa

Diddums said:
As @Old Man says, Justcall. I use them to call Saffrica all the time, cheapest of the lot, unless you want to spend forever digging for less convenient options to save a penny a minute at most.

Well there we go - A suggestion and someone who uses the service - This is probably what I'll use if it's not included in my EE package. Thanks.

Feek · 31 May 2019 at 11:40

Further investigation shows my landline provider charges 9.58p/minute to call 0843 numbers and EE charge 50p/minute to call 0843 numbers.

So that penny a minute thing suddenly becomes a lot more expensive. It looks like the 8p/minute to call the USA on EE is the cheapest I've found.

Diddums · 31 May 2019 at 11:43

Feek said:
Further investigation shows my landline provider charges 9.58p/minute to call 0843 numbers and EE charge 50p/minute to call 0843 numbers.

So that penny a minute thing suddenly becomes a lot more expensive. It looks like the 8p/minute to call the USA on EE is the cheapest I've found.

Call them up and ask them. Ours said the same but this was different (BT landline).

MrRockliffe · 31 May 2019 at 11:43

Are YOU able to use a service that connects via the internet into a landline, i.e. Skype allow you to phone landlines if you have credit.

Lots of call centres use just that and pay next to nothing for calls :-)

PooKer · 31 May 2019 at 12:04

Feek said:
Further investigation shows my landline provider charges 9.58p/minute to call 0843 numbers and EE charge 50p/minute to call 0843 numbers.

So that penny a minute thing suddenly becomes a lot more expensive. It looks like the 8p/minute to call the USA on EE is the cheapest I've found.

Never used them for international calls but Lyca Mobile?

Pudney · 31 May 2019 at 12:41

Feek said:
Further investigation shows my landline provider charges 9.58p/minute to call 0843 numbers and EE charge 50p/minute to call 0843 numbers.

So that penny a minute thing suddenly becomes a lot more expensive. It looks like the 8p/minute to call the USA on EE is the cheapest I've found.

The website says:

How to make a call

Dial the JustCall mobile access number 0207 124 6666

When prompted dial 00, then the country code (+1) and the number you wish to call

You will be connected.

So the 0843 number may not be needed. Not sure why it's on there though, it's pretty confusing!

Feek · 31 May 2019 at 14:46

Just tried it - Dialling the 0207 number, I get a message asking me to enter a PIN. I tried the full number anyway, prefixed as normal by 001 but I got a message saying "sorry, unable".

Cheap phone calls to the USA? *** resolved, see post #27 ***

Cheap phone calls to the USA? * resolved, see post #27 *