Whilst I appreciate this is a UK based site, the topics must be the same for our foreign counterparts, and for us when we travel.
So does anybody know of a similar set of numbers to the 0844 dialthrough numbers we currently have?
It would be nice when travelling to not have to worry about obtaining calling cards with their rip-off rates (or wondering if they will run out before the end of the call), or using hotels with their mortgage priced rates.
I have international roaming on my phone, but the prices on that are ridiculous.
My personal interest is from Hungary to UK. I can ring, from the UK, an Hungarian landline for 1p per min, or mobile for 5p per min.

After all, with the wordly experience and connections of the members of this site, somebody must have some relevant information that can help the others in time for their next holiday / working trip.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Thank you

Whilst I thank you for your interest and speedy reply BigJohn, the site you listed only offers prepaid calling cards. Exactly the item that I was trying to steer away from. I have made use of such cards before, but they, and those offered by the site all have timed expiry from initial use. Also there is the concern that the credit on the card would expire before the content of the call. As I would be keeping in touch with my business and UK based customers, this would seem unprofessional, and highly unsatisfactory.
What I was trying to obtain was information offered in a similar vein to www.niftylist.co.uk. I have found this site to be invaluable for money saving, and have pointed many friends to it.
However it would be nice to see if there was an international version of the site, or similar, for calling back to the UK.

I am assuming that other countries have a similar service to that offered to us, and the yanks, by the dial through providers. I know there are a couple of dial through services that operate using your credit card from Hungarian phone boxes, and these are great for convenience. But that then leaves the fact that each transaction will need to be coverted to sterling at the prevailing day rate + the appropriate bank handling fee, if applicable. So if suitable local funds are available, I would prefer to dial through.

Perhaps there is a provider that offers a sensibly priced call back service.

Ps. With respect to a previous conversation we've had regarding cheap service providers, I have followed your advice and singed with 1899. It works, it's cheaper when used properly, and has yet to be a problem. So thank you.

Interesting, very nice man, that your 03.01.06 posting tells us you  ". . signed with 1899 . . ".

Only yesterday, and again today, they told us,
". . We are sorry for the inconvenience. Due to lack of capacity it is currently not possible to register.
Please wait at least 6 weeks before attempting to register again. . . ."

Anybody know what's going on, please?

Have a look in www.riiing.com.
I hold no brief for them, but I do use one of their simcards (and am just about to take delivery of a second identical Nokia - to avoid SIM swaps) and have found the service excellent.
My employer is delighted with the savings...

rydaway wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2006 at 7:25pm:


In areas where capacity has been reached this is the message you get from them.To get round this first of all register a mobile number,and once this has been accepted register your landline.

Tanllan wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2006 at 7:45pm:

That site now points to United Mobile. What's changed? From what NGM's said, it's a Luxembourgian mobile provider. Is this still the case?

Dave wrote on Jan 4^th, 2006 at 3:33pm:

No, it has always been a Liechtenstein phone number.

UM have merged their two brands, which now have the same tariffs - there are about 80 countries with free incoming calls.

[cut]* Other European mobiles cost from 10p to 17p with callback providers. See this thread ...
http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1122205327/11#11

* Edit - this was about using Riiing with other calllback services, but it appears that their tariffs have just gone up  -- there has been a wide variation in tariffs to FL mobile for some time; the cheapest carrier was not the best, and it would appear that they have switched like others did months ago ...


Some calling cards charge higher rates for freephone numbers from callboxes or mobiles; other do not, but some of those are consequently barred from some callboxes and mobile networks. Some have ordinary landline access numbers as well, which would be useful for various possibilities, like the cheapest mobile tariffs - eg call home from Simyo Belgium mobile for about 5p per minute ...

From ordinary landlines, use callback or calling cards. The thing about 0844 numbers here is that they are charged on the landline bill - you want an account based one instead, but this might sometimes be tricky to set up abroad.

www.callbackworld.com
www.enlinea.com
www.gsm2world.com
www.expat-telecom.com
www.voipfone.co.uk

www.enjoyprepaid.com
www.masterbell.com
www.bizon.us

I've used Enlinea and CBW with the Riiing SIM and others *[see above re tariff incr]. Voipfone would be the cheapest for landline to landine, at from 2.2p per minute, but you will need a method of web-triggering the call, perhaps by WAP on your mobile or call diversion after a web call button on your PC or PDA ... haven't tried it yet

There are other international SIM cards as well, but perhaps another thread, or read Niftylist or PrepaidGSM ...