4PetesSake wrote on Sep 9^th, 2006 at 11:41am:
According to the MSE Call Checker there are two dial-through providers that charge 4p/min (from a BT landline) but you have to make the call via their 08444x number.  The problem with going via the 08444x route is that you will get charged for all failed connections, including if phone is off/no signal, etc.  The reason is that your landline provider (BT I assume) who you pay your calls to will charge you their going rate for calling the 0844x regardless of any problems you may have.  You also need to dial the full 0844x number then the mobile number (normally in international format) as well and you will then either have to pay the connection fee or minimum call charge as well.

Call18185 on the otherhand, only charge if the call is answered/voicemail (ie what normally happens) and NOT if phone is off/no signal.

If you check the MSE Call checker (link above) for a little more information but remember that any rates quoted may depend on you making the call from a BT landline.  The reason for this is that all rates quoted are based on BT charging you for the call in question.  If you use another provider for your outgoing calls then rates may vary.

4PetesSake wrote on Sep 9^th, 2006 at 10:56pm:

That's the drawback of dial-though providers - your calls provider starts charging you for the first 'part' of the call (i.e. the 0844 xxx xxxx part) as soon as you have dialled it - even before you've started to add the 'target' number.

For those using BT, that''ll be 3p 'call set-up fee' plus a minimum of one minute from 1/10/06.  So, to a 4p per minute 0844 number such as that suggested above, BT will then charge 7p for such a failed call!

Using 18185, a failed (engaged or no reply) call would cost nothing - because their 4p connection fee is not charged until the connection is made (although, as bbb_uk points out, voicemail counts as a connection).

Tanllan wrote on Sep 10^th, 2006 at 10:59pm:

I think that the "call set-up fee" is the next bandwagon that the telcos will be jumping on. And then there's whole minute charging. Covertly increasing prices whilst making look as though they're coming down must figure in every £££-thinking UK telco's mission statement.