I've recently taken out a new mobile contract that does not include international calls but does have 30GB of data.
What's the cheapest way for me to call the UK for 1-2 hours a month?
Prepaid international calling cards (are they still a thing?), some form of VOIP?
Whatsapp is not an option as I'll be calling elderly relatives on landlines.
Certainly a possibility. I was just wondering if there were better options.
Facetime audio/video work brilliantly if they have iPad, iPhone or iPod and can use existing number.
Optus include UK in their contracts if must call landline and can consider cancelling and changing contract.
Looks like $1.80-$3.60 for 1-2 hours plus 6.9c flagfall using Skype credit. That sounds pretty cheap to me.
Yes, but this is Ozbargain so I was looking to see what other options there are.
I'll probably give Skype calling a go.
Other options that involve both parties having access to the same app and the tech savy to use it are out in this case. WhatsApp, Viber, Facetime, FB Messenger are all disqualified.
The key point is calling landlines as that's the channel that is most likely to get a response at the other end.
I can pay $10/month to Optus for an international call pack, but if I can get by on $2-3 a month based on my usage that service from Optus is not a bargain.
@Xenocaust: Sure, definitely worth asking. It looks like Viber Out might be fractionally cheaper to UK landlines (~3c per minute) and with no flagfall.
Viber - it is free provided your other end also has Viber.
elderly relatives on landlines.
probably cancel your mobile plan and sign up for one that does if it is still within the cooling period
Whatsapp, Signal = free
Whatsapp is not an option as I'll be calling elderly relatives on landlines.
Do they have a computer? Are they on Facebook? You can videocall through messenger.
elderly relatives on landlines.
FB MESSENGER
elderly relatives on landlines.
You can call landlines or mobiles on Viber Out (no need for receiver to have Viber app).
Theres is a monthly plan for UK with unlimited mins for $US3.99, might be cheaper to pay the 2.1c/min standard call rate depending on how long you will talk.
https://account.viber.com/en/call-united-kingdom
Thanks, I'll have a look at it.
Their standard call rate looks a little cheaper than Skype - will see how their app performs.
Siptalk account, https://www.siptalk.com.au/plans.php, using GS Wave, http://www.grandstream.com/products/ip-voice-telephony/softp…, as mobile client. You could even add a UK DID to make it cheap for Poms to phone you. Google for free UK DIDs. The one I have is no longer free, https://www.localphone.com/dashboard/incoming_numbers/united….
I use Betamax some of their brands offer free calls to a country you want to call for free for the first 120 days when you top up with 10€.
Just google betamax price comparison there are a heap of web sites https://www.google.com/search?q=betamax+price+comparison&rlz…
Each one has its own android app I never had any problems with some of the ones I've used over the years just remember to dial 00 then country code for it to work
I don't know which options available currently. But if you really want to save, I would be looking into options of free or discounted trials.
It's going back quite a few years now, but I remember getting free international calls to landlines for 1 month. I think that was with skype. I thought it was cool back then I could phone overseas shops and chat lol.
Surely there is more competition than back then, so I would expect there to be some good deals initially with several of the providers.
Depends if you're willing to change each month to save $2 . If not… 1 demerit point off your ozbargain license sir
Skype ?