[The Hodges]

Out of interest how much , roughly, does it cost to call the Uk from NZ?

[Diny]

How long is a piece of string?

Just all depends really. We're with telecom and have signed up to a deal (can't remember what it's called) but it means we can call the UK for up to 2 hours a time and the cost is capped at $5.00. I think it may be called 'anytime' but not sure - somebody will tell you.

However, I don't call UK on the land line very often. I use Skype. Calls to other Skype users are totally free. Calls to no users (Skype out calls) cost a fraction of a fraction of a Euro cent per minute. I usually buy 10 Euros credit at a time and it lasts me for ages (a couple of months or so at least) and I'm always calling family and friends back in the UK.

I understand that there are other phone companies which offer all kinds of bells and whistles deals but I can't tell you anything about them.

In short ..... gone are the days of sky high phone bills - there are ways and means around them.

Hope this helps.

Diny

[keeweescot]

However, I don't call UK on the land line very often. I use Skype. Calls to other Skype users are totally free. Calls to no users (Skype out calls) cost a fraction of a fraction of a Euro cent per minute. I usually buy 10 Euros credit at a time and it lasts me for ages (a couple of months or so at least) and I'm always calling family and friends back in the UK.



Just out of curiosity, how do you use Skype? i.e. internet phone, headset & mic, or something else? I've tried a couple of times now, the latest just tonight. I was using a skype converter to call a landline in NZ. There's either a delay on the line, or the person I'm calling can't hear me. Maybe its my broadband connection, but would be interesting to hear how others are using it.

Thanks
Sal

[tchelseat]

I use Skype to talk to my parents in the US. We both use our computers so no landline is involved. If you check out the skype store on their website you can get an idea of what devices you can use to communicate. I have a mic and speakers inside my laptop so I just talk (rather embarrassingly) AT my computer. My parents have an external mic and speakers hooked up to their PC. I've read that using a headset or phone cancels out some of the echoing that may occur otherwise, but I haven't experience much echo at all. Hope this helps!

[tchelseat]

Oh and also, there's another service I use called Jajah (www.jajah.com). It's a web-activated telephone service which means you initiate the phone call from your computer than use your landline to talk to people. Once you initiate the call your phone rings, and when you pick up the phone it begins ringing at the place you're calling. The reason I use it is because (1) not everyone has access to a computer and Skype and (2) It's free (up to a certain amount of time per week, around 5 hours) to talk between registered users. Registration is free. If you want to register and talk to someone who's not registered, there is a nominal fee (something like 2 U.S. cents per minute, 1p?).

[keeweescot]

thanks, Chelsea - will check out Jajah. I guess both parties need broadband though?
Sal

[tchelseat]

Sal,

I found this on the Jajah website:

JAJAH's requirements are very basic - any type of computer (PC / Mac / Linux etc.) with any type of internet connection (56k, ISDN, DSL, ADSL, Cables etc.) and one of the popular web browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Mozilla etc.). You will also need an available phone line (landline or mobile) to receive the call.

So as long as you can get to the Jajah website, you can use the service.

[keeweescot]

that might just be me sorted for cheap phone calls!
thanks again
Sal

[Diny]

Just out of curiosity, how do you use Skype? i.e. internet phone, headset & mic, or something else? I've tried a couple of times now, the latest just tonight. I was using a skype converter to call a landline in NZ. There's either a delay on the line, or the person I'm calling can't hear me. Maybe its my broadband connection, but would be interesting to hear how others are using it.

Thanks
Sal

Mic and headphones/speakers (all depending on whether I want other people in the room to hear the conversation. Don't get much echo at all, usually very good.

Skype to Skype calls are brilliant !!!!

Diny

[keeweescot]

Thanks, Diny - that must be where I'm going wrong - i just don't like being "tied" to the pc when I'm talking! ah well, can't have everything I guess! :laugh

[Diny]

Just signed up for that Jajah thingy .... it seems to work really well - thanks for link.

Diny

[Diny]

Heck ... it DOES work well. Just had a really good conversation with mum in the UK. It was as clear as a bell - fantastic!!

[veronica]

We use the phone cards. the one we use is a rate saver card (we buy the $20) and depending on the time of day it can be either 300 minute worth of calls to the UK (is for multiple calls but does have to be used within, I think, 3 months) or if I phone before 8 am here it seems to be 600 minutes worth. suits us as its paid for before its used, no big phone bills. also has the benefit that neither side has to have a computer.

[tchelseat]

Diny,

Glad Jajah worked out for you! Happy chatting.

[kiwidebs]

Just off to check out this one (Jajah). Thanks.

Debs

[spudulike]

As well as skype etc there are also phone cards, we use gotalk and you get about 200 mins for $10 which works out cheaper for us than the capped rate on the landline.

Louise :)

[Avalon]

We were on Telecom Anytime Plus (the one that gives you up to 2 hours for $5). We were paying about $120 / month on this.

But we have just changed to Ihug. This is a flat monthly fee of $80 for the line rental and unlimited calls. Calls have to be upto an hour, after which you hang up and dial back. If you go over the hour, its 25c / min, and if you dial NZ mobiles its 55c / hour.

We cant uses skype to call my parents in the UK, so this was our best option.

[NannyOgg]

Avalon,

We have just signed upo to Ihug - the talk 3 plan. All in it will cost us $50 per month Broadband, $45 line rental and then $40 on top for unlimited calls.

Just wanted to query something - you said 50c / hour per minute to NZ mobiles - should taht be per minute?

Anyone know the cheapest way to call UK mobiles that isn't Skype?

Ta

Nanny x

[tchelseat]

I've mentioned Jajah for making calls from NZ to the UK (or anywhere else in the world for that matter). The calls between users (on the landline) are free, but there are fee-based services to consider as well. The rates from a NZ landline to a UK mobile is 19 US cents per minute, which if my conversion is correct, is about 29 NZ cents per minute. The only quirk is that you have to activate the telephone call from your computer.

Here's the link to the Jajah rates:

http://jajah.com/info/rates/

Hope this helps! :)

[colindp]

I am a Skype user and find it to be adequate at the moment, however, I don't yet have broadband, but I have recently signed up for BB and I am hoping it will improve, there is a slight delay but usually it soon catches up and is a good as a landline
If the person at the other end has a computer and a webcam software such as MSN Messenger are worth downloading, with sound and vision and no charges involved. My daughter decided to stay in the UK and occasionally visits my Brother in law so we get the chance to see how she is as well as have a chat using MSN....

[Avalon]

Avalon,
Just wanted to query something - you said 50c / hour per minute to NZ mobiles - should taht be per minute?

x

:laugh I think that was after a glass of something chilled :laugh

I type faster than I think!


Sorry

[Smiler]

Along with Skype and all the others mentioned we are also using www.webcalldirect.com after someone (sorry i forget who) mentioned it on here.

It's been excellent quality, costs only 5 euro cents for each connection, no other charge. You have to redial after an hour, but I can cope with that for the 5 cents. :laugh It doesn't tie you to the PC either, you use normal landline phones to call via the pc.

[seagulls]

Another good option is Tesco. You can buy a handset/headset etc. online and they will deliver anywhere in the world and then all calls between Tesco users is free wherever you are in the world.

I'm not sure about the cost of phoning a land line within New Zealand but great for calling friends and family.