Quality/reliability of a UK service

[Przemolog]

My brother who works in the UK asked me about this service (prepaid callthrough:
http://www.megacheapandsimple.com/files/mobile.html.
Do you think it's worth considering?
My brother has an O2 SIM (not sure which tariff however) with International Bolt-on. He wants to use it for calls to Poland (1p landlines, 7-8p mobiles, 5p setup fee). Of course, on top of it there's a fee to connect the access number 020 7112 7222 - I guess it's charged like "Standard calls" (i.e. UK landline).

IMHO it doesn't make sense to use this service to Polish landlines but to mobiles it would make some savings...

[prion]

I have noticed that their web page where you can buy the 5 pounds is not secure.. So at least if he buys ask him to do this via sms.

[andy]

I don't know the service, so I was surprised to receive a spam text message from them a couple of weeks ago.

I think the O2 bolt-on is already cheaper to Poland landlines than dialling via a London callthrough number.

But I might suggest changing network. There are some other callthrough arrangements that have been subject to a number of changes of network policy, and now I'd say using T-mobile payg has recently gained a very attractive option for calling abroad.

http://www.yourcallworld.com/tmobile/

There are a range of new 07755 access numbers for different destinations - 3 pence a minute to many landlines (and US mobiles), 10p a minute to Polish mobiles, 15p most other European mobiles. No account needs to be set up, and these charges are independent and complete, not on top of a T-mobile rate (I've checked: 1p minimum charge).

T-mobile also has pretty good rates for UK mobiles, at 12p/min. This rate applies to UK landlines too, as these are excepted from the YCW service. The Finarea callback service ReturnCall might be useful at 2p/min UK landlines, and 5p/min for UK 0870 numbers

[Przemolog]

Originally Posted by andy

I don't know the service, so I was surprised to receive a spam text message from them a couple of weeks ago.

I think the O2 bolt-on is already cheaper to Poland landlines than dialling via a London callthrough number.

That's what I thought.

Originally Posted by andy

But I might suggest changing network. There are some other callthrough arrangements that have been subject to a number of changes of network policy, and now I'd say using T-mobile payg has recently gained a very attractive option for calling abroad.

http://www.yourcallworld.com/tmobile/

There are a range of new 07755 access numbers for different destinations - 3 pence a minute to many landlines (and US mobiles), 10p a minute to Polish mobiles, 15p most other European mobiles. No account needs to be set up, and these charges are independent and complete, not on top of a T-mobile rate (I've checked: 1p minimum charge).

Sounds interesting. Are 07755's "mobile numbers for dialtrough usage"?
However, I doubt if my brother decides to buy a new SIM - he's pretty busy. Moreover what is the real cost of such a change - I mean cost of a T-Mo SIM minus the initial credit? Of course the reason for which my bother bought O2 (a year ago) was the cheap access to some 0845 numbers (some 5 or even 2p a minute on weekends) but things have changed (up to 15p AFAIR)

Originally Posted by andy

T-mobile also has pretty good rates for UK mobiles, at 12p/min. This rate applies to UK landlines too, as these are excepted from the YCW service. The Finarea callback service ReturnCall might be useful at 2p/min UK landlines, and 5p/min for UK 0870 numbers

It's less interesting to him as most calls he makes to UK numbers are to the staff of the farm and for that purpose he was given a "business" phone topped-up by his employer.

Anyway, thank you very much for the help

[andy]

Originally Posted by Przemolog

Sounds interesting. Are 07755's "mobile numbers for dialtrough usage"?
However, I doubt if my brother decides to buy a new SIM - he's pretty busy. Moreover what is the real cost of such a change - I mean cost of a T-Mo SIM minus the initial credit? Of course the reason for which my bother bought O2 (a year ago) was the cheap access to some 0845 numbers (some 5 or even 2p a minute on weekends) but things have changed (up to 15p AFAIR)

Yes - that is probably their only use. They and 07744 are left over from a defunct network, and the int'l part of the call is funded by revenue share on the termination fees.

They are/were included in some network contracts, but this new arrangement has just been made with T-mobile, looking much better for prepaid than contract users.

A T-mobile SIM can be ordered on their website for 50p, occasionally free. I've got some here. A £20 top-up gets 20% bonus, so enough for up to 800 minutes int'l calls

[petkow]

I too have a few spare T-mob SIM's if he/anyone wants. Happy to send to a UK address.