making a phone call to Perth, WA. Cheapest way

[tooyoungformidlifecrisisbut]

Wondering whether any ex-pats or people with loved ones in Oz knew of the cheapest way to call Perth. Have met someone from there and wonder if there are any phone card deals or similar to get the best cheap calls.

TIA

Buy a webcam & chat over the internet - that's what we do with our friends in Perth. Really depends how often you will be chatting to them though

We used 18866. You sign up online and then dial 18866 before you dial the number. It costs a set 4p per call and then so much per minute. Oz is 2p a minute I think, and UK is free (so therefore only 4p per call). The beauty of it is that you don't have to use it at all if you don't want to, but if you dial the number it will also tell you how much per minute the call will cost. We've been on it for about 18 months and our bills have plummeted. Hope this helps. Not as cheap as internet-based phoning, but very very simple and quick to set up.

That sounds pretty good rockandhardplace... My Dad lives in Perth so I'm on the phone to him at least an hour a week and it costs me around £2.50 for 30/40 minutes with BT. Will def have to try that number!

18185 is generally cheapest for overseas - works the same way as 18866, 4p connection but then only 1p a min to Oz.

rock, 18866 are actually relatively expensive now - 1899 is best for UK calls at 3p connection, and 18185 is cheapest for calls to mobiles - 2p a min weekends & 6p a min otherwise.

I think Skype is pretty cheap for international calls. Don't know much about it myself but MIL calls spain ALL the time & only spent £6 in 3 months.

JanH, I never use 18866 for UK calls, as my mobile deal gives me hours of free calls per month, so I always use that. Only use 18866 for foreign calls, but will check out the other numbers if they're half the price.

Agree on Skype (assuming you have broadband). If he has broadband too then you could both sign up, get microphones (or spend £20 on a Skype phone) and talk for free for as long as you want; if not then you could sign up, get microphone (etc.) and pay for SkypeOut then call him very cheaply.

I used voipcheap.co.uk which is a great way to call over the internet for free. All you need is a headset/microphone. This website was reccomended to me by a guy calling me from a BT call centre!!
We have recently changed over to talk talk and get free broadband, local, national and international calls. I call my Mum in Oz 3-4 times a week!!

tell me on here and I 'll go round and tell them for you

lol I've thought about that before SW!!

So how exactly does skype work? I've just been on their website but I need it explained like a child lol I can't think today!!!!

Ooh thanks for all the ideas - I have Skype but no mic yet cos I'm just working it out and I had no idea I had free calls there with my talktalk plan so thanks superloopy!!

I think I spent over £50 this week on my mobile on calls and texts there so at least I know that's not going to have to continue!!

i have 2 friends who live in Perth, ive never phoned them once, but we chat on msn every day. definitely the cheapest way to communicate