Until the new year, you can call UK mobiles for 1p per minute.

http://www.cleverates.com/index.php

This is a call through service, so you are charged the moment you connect to their service, therefore if the number is busy, or just rings out you are still paying for the call. (Unlike indirect services such as 18185 where you are only charged once connected to the destination number).

With this service you need to dial in the international format and then followed by a #. IE) 00447962221111#

0844 721 2525 is the call through access number.

Calls to this 0844 number are charged at 1p/min from BT lines.

Call from non-BT providers are likely to be higher, if using a line rental service from another provider in replacement for a BT line you may find access to this number is blocked or charged at a much higher rate. People who have a BT line and a CPS service who charges more than BT for this number can place the call back with BT by dialling 1280 then the access number, IE) 1280 0844 721 2525 - you will then by charged 1p/min on your BT bill for the call, no other charges are made.

Thanks a lot! I'll try it later.

If it's more permanent I will cancel Talk Mobile which have from Telewest.

Calls to 0844 numbers are about the same as BT, however a 6p connection charge is added.

Calls to 0844 numbers from BT payphones are about 2p per minute. 30p minimum call charge.

Calls to 0844 numbers from NWP Spectrum payphones are 11p per minute. 30p minimum call charge.

Calls to 0844 numbers from Premier managed payphones are 20p per 110 seconds. 20p minimum call charge.

Calls to 0844 numbers from mobile phones are charged at the same rate as calling 0845 numbers from mobiles.

If dialing using Thus indirect access remember to add 1271 in front of the 0844 number as sometimes you can be charged by BT instead of the cheaper rates set by Thus.

OK this sounds great. But I'm sure there's got to be some catch somewhere.

It's just a loss leader, and only until the new year.

How can there be a catch? You pay the 1p/min and makes your call!

So let me get this straight. Before the new year, if I use this service to call a mobile it'll only cost me 6p for the BT connection charge plus 1p for every minute I call a mobile. For example, if I were to call someone for 30 minutes, I would pay 36p? If so, then it sounds great. I'll be using it.

The reason why I ask about catches is that it seems a little too good to be true. That's all.

If calling from a BT line, there is no call connection fee (that is cable that do), BT have a minimum call charge of 5p, thus meaning a 30 minute call to a mobile will cost just 30p, a 1 second to 5 minute call will cost 5p, 10 minute call 10p.

This is not the first time a company has offered 1p/min to mobiles for a short while.

The service is not allowing me to call anywhere, it just makes that noise when you connect to dial up internet or fax machine.

I've heard that people using cable lines and calling 3 Mobile or mobiles that were originally on 3 having problems. People from BT lines don't seem to be having problems.

I am able to access the service but when you dial 0044- and thenthe number without the first 0, it sometimes makes that terrible noise.

Today I have had problems calling non-ported orange numbers and Cable and Wireless Guernsey mobiles.

In one case, my call bursted in to someone elses call! and could hear them having a conversation about going for a drink after work!

Discount Dial are now offering calls to UK mobiles for 1p/min.

0844 861 64 64

http://www.discountdial.co.uk/index2.php

Dial number as per normal followed by #

With this number, is all that comes on the bill the 1p per min?

No additional charges, i.e. give bank details.

How do they make any money then?

As we are still paying out provider for the call via the bill?

(Rather than the free dial up number then a monthly fee like companies would do in the past?)

The 1p/min is 1p from BT, NTL 'may' charge a different rate, you need to look at the NTL price-list.

As you are calling an 0844 number from your chosen provider (NTL, TW, BT etc), it is this provider that charges you the 1p/min.

This 0844 number is a revenue sharing number, so most of the 1p for the call goes to the operator of the number, it is from this they earn their cut and that pays for the call you make via them. You don't get billed by them, you don't give them any details, you just use the access number and then dial your destination call.

Remember that NTL and Telewest charge a call connection charge, unlike BT, so a 5 minute call via the 1p/min 0844 number on BT costs 5p, yet on Telewest it costs 11p, 10 min on BT 10p on TW 16p and so on.