[Alan]

Just in case your not aware if you want to make cheap international calls on Telecoms network, not using a calling card, there’s an option to 00.
If you dial 0161 then country code you will find the rates very cheap. Eg if you were phoning UK and previously dialing 0044xxxxx you would dial 016144xxxxx

This is a telecom service that isn’t publicised but details can be found at below link on telecoms website. It also has a calculator so you can look up the per minute rate.
Calls are billed on your telecom account as normal.

http://www.telecom.co.nz/0161

[mmcguire2020]

Thanks for that info. I might just call my family in California more oftern:nice1

[Mickstim]

You can also do this with Telstra Clear - dial 0151 before your number. I think if you are calling in peak hours this is slightly cheaper than Telecom. We pay 9c a minute, but that is at any time.

Bx

[tim&em]

Also, it's definitely worth looking into phonecards. We use a telstra linked one from BBH (backpacker's membership) and it's something like 4c per minute after you've dialled a local access code from a landline.

[broadsword08]

we pay $30 a month with slingshot and dont pay anything else for all NZ, UK, USA, & Aussie land line calls... average 12 hours per month to UK, 4 to NZ, and 3 to Oz... think thats good value but welcome input if we can do it cheaper!

[M-Squared]

we pay $30 a month with slingshot and dont pay anything else for all NZ, UK, USA, & Aussie land line calls... average 12 hours per month to UK, 4 to NZ, and 3 to Oz... think thats good value but welcome input if we can do it cheaper!

We have the same plan, it rules! :clap

[andrewp]

Wow - these are all great suggestions. Almost as cheap as skype for the calls we make regularly, and much easier for anyone technically challenged.
:cheers

[nickydwuk]

You can also do this with Telstra Clear - dial 0151 before your number. I think if you are calling in peak hours this is slightly cheaper than Telecom. We pay 9c a minute, but that is at any time.

Bx

We dial 0505 with telstra clear for 9c a minute.

[jubjub]

The 0161 service was terminated at the end of 2008.... we had a letter to warn us that is was going to end... unless of course they have restarted it.....

[Derv]

The 0161 service was terminated at the end of 2008.... we had a letter to warn us that is was going to end... unless of course they have restarted it.....

The 0161 service hasn't been terminated; I used it yesterday. The changes set out in the Telecom letter that we got at the end of 2008 state that the 0161 service would not be quite as cheap as it was; but it's still a great bargain and a very cheap way to phone the UK.

[MonkeyControl]

I wasn't aware of this service, but then we just got into Skype before we left the UK. Nice to know there are reasonably priced alternatives for occasions like last Xmas eve when our modem went 'Pop!!' during a power cut/surge with no replacement until Dick Smith opened on boxing day.