CelTrek - a new int'l SIM

[DRNewcomb]

You can be e-mailed the entire voicemail as an attachment. I don't know about forwarding. There are a couple of options on the setup that are strangely worded: "Service will call back this number" and "Service will ring to this number" I have not played with them to see what they do.

[bones_boy]

I was unable to get VMs to forward to my email "automatically", or upon receipt. But I was able to go into my.celtrek.com, and forward recorded/received VMs to my email very quickly.

[DRNewcomb]

Originally Posted by bones_boy

I was unable to get VMs to forward to my email "automatically", or upon receipt. But I was able to go into my.celtrek.com, and forward recorded/received VMs to my email very quickly.

I think you are right about that. I was probably confusing VoiceStick voicemail with Celtrek. I think you have to go to their website and download it.

[ckole]

Anyone try my.celtrek.com lately? When I type that address it just takes me to the other login page (account info). So I am not able to see the advanced features like forwarding vm's.

Thanks,
Chris

EDIT: There is a not so apparent icon at the top of the page that says MyCeltrek and that appears to be where some of the other features are. There are 3 options for account history. I still don't see anything for voicemail options. Also how much does it cost to send an SMS to the Celtrek sim? Is there a way to do this online?

[akraus88]

I bought their sim card, but they charge for the callback , much before the other party answered, this means a real rip off which nobody does. SO avoid this card.............

[Bossman]

Actually, Maxroam charges for the callback too. So, even if you call a number that does not exist, is busy, etc. you still get dinged! I mentioned it in the maxroam review thread.

EDIT:I think maxroam and celtrek use the same backend system to handle the callback since they both use that +972 number.

Originally Posted by akraus88

I bought their sim card, but they charge for the callback , much before the other party answered, this means a real rip off which nobody does. SO avoid this card.............

[MATHA531]

As far as I am concerned, they are thieves. Imagine they have the gall to charge for unanswered calls...absolutely asinine and absurd and a rip off....don't use them.

[bones_boy]

Originally Posted by MATHA531

As far as I am concerned, they are thieves. Imagine they have the gall to charge for unanswered calls...absolutely asinine and absurd and a rip off....don't use them.

Gee, "thieves" is a strong term. At least their customer service is very responsive, which is something you cannot say for most of the other prepaid SIMs (who shall remain nameless).

They do have good points:

- Low rates in USD - they have not raised their rates even though USD sucks - for example, who else can match $0.34 outbound from Japan? Certainly not anyone charging eurocents.

- Virtual DIDs all over the place

- Ability to record calls and listen to them online

- Ability to trigger callback online and avoid the double charge.

I agree the double charge sucks but I'd hardly classify them as thieves. When I think of thieves, I think someone who takes your money and gives you nothing. And there has been plenty of that around here over the last few years.

Just my opinion.

[Przemolog]

Originally Posted by bones_boy

Gee, "thieves" is a strong term.
(...)
I agree the double charge sucks but I'd hardly classify them as thieves. When I think of thieves, I think someone who takes your money and gives you nothing. And there has been plenty of that around here over the last few years.

Just my opinion.

As long as any particular type of billing is clearly described in the T&C's and not prohibited by the national telecom/other law, the operator cannot be name a "thief".

However....

http://www.celtrek.com/faq.php#62

When does the call charge start?
A - You charges start only when the service calls you back and connects you to the destination you are asking to reach.

I understand the above statement as "no charge for unaswered/busy calls". Or, am I missing something ?

[bbob]

A - You charges start only when the service calls you back and connects you to the destination you are asking to reach.

I understand the above statement as "no charge for unaswered/busy calls". Or, am I missing something ?

You can read it the way like you did. If you take it word by wordt is says connects to the destination you are asking to reach. You could say that when no one answers the call you have still reached the destination. If there is a busytone you still reached the destination but it's busy.

The words seem to be choosen very carefull and they are not very clear.

I do agree that an operator has to be clear about the cost. In reallity for the operator the cost do start when making a callback to you and when the line is busy or not answered it does cost the operator money. Some companies like UM just charge a .25 euro connection fee to cover cost.
Others say the have no connection fee and hide when you get charged. When comparing service most user don't find or notice the terms that you have to pay for non answered or busy calls and just think there is no connection fee.
It's unfortunate that there are companier hiding this fee or write like:

You charges start only when the service calls you back and connects you to the destination you are asking to reach.