Sounds like a problem with 18185 when calling Irish mobiles - may or may not be limited to Vodafone Ireland.

Hi Nicholas,

(1) I didn't find anything that would help me in that thread.

(2) I don't know what Finarea is, or how I could avoid it?

(3) Does anyone have an answer? I have to call this number frequently so it's really an expensive "glitch".

(4) This happens if I try to use 18866, 18185, or any of the 0871 providers listed on the Money-Saving-experts page. Is there a way of successfully contacting any of them??? I tried the 18185 contact and only get any error message when I try to send the email.

Thanks

Eljay

I frequently get this same message when ringing UK mobiles on 18185

Since seeing this, I've tried ringing an Irish O2 mobile a few times, without a problem, though the phone rings a few seconds later than the ringing tone when called from 18185 on the landline

I've heard of a similar problem of  people calling some UK mobiles from America using other providers, the message about not enough credit

It's only a guess, but I'm wondering if it's a different kind of issue, and if the number has been ported or is there some other oddity could that occasionally behave like this. I don't know how porting works, but I assume that a caller's  network doesn't have a record for every single ported number and therefore the call is first sent to the original network and then forwarded.

Thanks Alan.
I tried all the 08...prefixes on the moneysavingexpert site. Same message on each, except occasionally I get "Your call cannot be connected".
I'll try italk247 and Dialnow tomorrow and let you know.

I did get "replies" from 18185 and another prefix I emailed.  I got  vague responses about technical problems that their technical teams are working on. Can't say I'm hopeful , this issue has been around a long time.

eljay

Oops No!  icall247 gives me the same ridiculous message now!

Eljay

Hi Eljay

You not having a lot of luck are you?

Maybe you can try phoning at a less busy time, the cheaper lines may be congested. I know it says "you have run out of credit" but you never know.

How much do Onetel charge you for a call to Irish mobile ? out of interest. Arent they now part of Talk Talk? Don't Talk Talk have cheap deals to international  nos where you dial a prefix . Have you asked them.

You can try webcalldirect  com. But again you need to buy credit. But maybe you could use it for other calls. They give "free" calls to UK landlines and others.
Easy to use , no headphones , gear or downloads needed. Callee doesnt need computer.

JaJah com work similar to webcalldirect. In fact try them before webcall. They give a free trial call , but not sure if to a mobile. However their prices are higher than webcall.

As a last resort, from me anyway, you can try a phone card.
http://www.1st-phonecards.co.uk/
http://www.thephonecardsite.com/
or others ,
not italk cards.  
But phonecard from my experience are not brilliant and sometimes have hidden charges. I can't see you getting a refund from any of these!

Not saying any of these will work ,but options for you.

Good luck , let us know how it goes.

Alan