CadburysFingers

Hi guys, having landed a few weeks ago now, and finally having internet access, one of the things I could do with finding out is, what is the cheapest method of ringing the UK from Western Australia. I have checked out a few websites, but generally peoples own experience is a better barometer for finding out. So does anyone have the definitive answer for us please.

Thanks.

Sandra

At your local newsagent they will probably see phone cards - there are various ones with all different names but you should be able to get cards which you phone a local number (local normal charge) and then use a pin to access long distance. You should end up paying about 4/5 cents a min for calls to the UK - an hour chat for about three dollars, and can be less.

Once I have bought the card I can then top it up over the phone on my credit card and I get a further discount depending on how much money I put on.

Hot tip - the cards or reciepts do tend to get 'lost/misplaced' round our place so we write the pin number in our phone book as back up.

Cheers

CadburysFingers

Thanks for that, I have seen the cards you mention, I was hoping to do it via an internet company or phone provider. In the UK I used Alphatelecom and they charger 3p a minute to dial Australia from the UK.

rudo1ph

I use Alpha Telecom here (Sydney) from my home phone. Have had no problems - I pay up front, I get a warning when there is only 1 minute of credit left, I call them, deposit another $50 and I'm set for another 3 months!!

jayr

GoBananas phonecard - cost is about 2c/min with no flagfall (connection charge).

Do not use Telstra for international calls. One month I had $85 of calls which would have cost me about $10 on a phone card.

young_lad

...and if you have family phoning you in Australia, they can get calls at 1p per min with Telediscount.

rudo1ph

I take it all back!!!!! I have been using this service for nearly a year...........I wrote this earlier and now, less than two hours later I cannot get through to the UK!!!! It tells me the service to the area I am calling is temporarily congested!!!!

CadburysFingers

Bought a Daybreak calling card in the end for A$ 50 and got A$5 free. It works out at 2.5 cents per minute with no connection charge, thats less than a penny a minute at current exchange rates.

Thanks to everyone who offered advice.

rudo1ph

You've jinxed me!!!!!!

I can still not get through with this service and the customer service line isn't working either It is out of hours though, so maybe they switch them off (or maybe I'm being a bit charitable here!!!). I will try and call them again in the morning and let you know!

rudo1ph

Apparently they closed their doors last Friday!!! Good news is I must have been very low on credit so at least the buggers haven't got lots of my dosh!!

Will have to go and investigate phonecards!!! Unless anyone else has a recommendation.....................

hevs

us too. cost around a dollar for about 50 mins chat

stuie72

rudo1ph,

How did you find out that they have gone under? I have been trying to find out what has happened to their serice since last Friday but couldn't get an answer from anyone.

Unfortunately, I had quite a bit of credit left too.

rudo1ph

read this link too

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum...15607#r2936611

stuie72

Thanks! At least I can give up trying every hour now!!

Have you found a cheap override alternative (as opposed to phone cards)? I can't find anything anywhere near the Alpha prices.

rudo1ph

No I haven't found an alternative......and I've deleted my original post......I think maybe I shouldn't have posted it without permission - but you read it so at least you know what's happening!! If you read the link I've posted you can email the guy who is the Alpha Telecom rep on that forum. He is still insisting there (or seems to be) that business will carry on at some point.........

I'm going to try out phone cards - only $10 at a time though so if anything goes wrong at least I won't loose much!!!!

If you do find anything else like Alpha, please let me know, it was really convenient!!

Rudi