International Calling

Phreaky

Phreaky

Phreaky

Associate
Joined
1 Dec 2004
Posts
679
Was going to post this in the mobile phones section but its not strictly mobile related...

What the cheapest way to make phone calls from the US back to the UK? Orange international roaming says it will be £1.10 a minute, screw that for a giggle and a packet of crisps.

Are there any known cheap PAYG sims or bog standard landline cards I should either a) get before I leave or b) look out for once I'm out there?
 
Ask for a call card at reception when you get there, they are usually cheaper than using coins in payphones. (If you are staying at a hotel of course)
Alternatively skype at MacDonald's with a fiver on it if you are bringing a laptop.
 
Or you can get hold of a code that you call first, and then input the number you wish to ring in the other country. I used to use it in Dubai, calls to the UK were a few pence a minute.
 
I'll be staying at a Hilton so I can piggyback the free WiFi in the lobby, like I normally do.

Skype sounds like a good option, I'll look into it. I'm assuming there will be loads of international calling cards when I get there, I was just trying to do a bit of research in advance to see if there were any particularly cheap ones.

Cheers for the tips!
 
What about the person who's most likely to be calling you from here? Some plans such as Sky Talk unlimited cover free calls to the US and Canada, including US or Canadian mobiles free for £5 per month. most providers do something liek this.
 
Skype to Skype: Free
Skype to UK landline: 2.3c a minute
Skype to mobile on a PAYG plan: Dont bother
Skype do monthly plans too but I found their call quality a little sketchy sometimes, that and the fact they literally robbed me of $2000+ makes me weary to recommend them to others. (Long story short, they mishandled my caller-id settings reporting a British number when I was calling an American line whilst in America, their website, and customer support explicitly stating it wouldn't do that.)

Google voice to UK mobile: 2c a minute
The catch? You'll need a cheap out of contract phone, can easily be had for as little as $50 from virgin (they use the sprint network) or similar. You'll need to wait until you're in the US to register for Google voice however.

Depending on your length of stay and the general availability of wifi while you're up to what you're doing I'd suggest skype for short term in-wifi calling, calling cards otherwise. For a lengthier stay give Google voice a look.
 
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I used Skype to call back to the UK from Tokyo and if worked fine using the hotel's internet access with pretty good call quality (using a netbook as a speaker phone) .... and a lot cheaper than using my mobile.

It does depend on you getting decent 'net access though.
 
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