iPhone to UK Landline app?

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › iPhone to UK Landline app?

steevg

90 posts

Master Geek

#212707 8-Apr-2017 09:47

Hi guys,

I have an elderly mother in the UK, she has a mobile device but (as with a lot of elderly people) no idea at all how to use it - this is proving to be a problem getting in touch with her. Previously we were using EasyCall's app, but since the company has recently gone out of business, thats no longer an option.

Can anyone recommend an app which will call from NZ iPhone to a UK landline cheaply - free would be even better?

I'm on 2Degrees here in NZ - if that's relevant!

Thanks

DimasikTurbo

89 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#1759378 8-Apr-2017 10:00

Have a look at Skype, it has unlimited UK landline option for around 6nzd per month. Get a trial to test first...

wongtop

563 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1759405 8-Apr-2017 10:20

2degrees international chat pack gives you 300 minutes for $10/month

coffeebaron

6231 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1759420 8-Apr-2017 11:31

http://www.voipdiscount.com

Rural IT and Broadband support.

Broadband troubleshooting and master filter installs.
Starlink installer - one month free: https://www.starlink.com/?referral=RC-32845-88860-71
Wi-Fi and networking
Cel-Fi supply and installer - boost your mobile phone coverage legally

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com

steevg

90 posts

Master Geek

#1759656 9-Apr-2017 07:56

Hey guys thanks, tried using Skype but wanted something free to a landline - and if I'm not mistaken Skype is a paid service - mobile to mobile (app to app), it's free, but not to a landline (happy to be corrected there).

The VoIPDiscount option looks like it's similar to Easycall - says it's free - but is that just for the trial period?

It talks about free to UK landlines - only for a trial period, but to prevent misuse it restricts the time usage? So I'm presuming at some stage I'll need to buy credit, but I can't find any calling rates to UK landlines ???

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

steevg

90 posts

Master Geek

#1759657 9-Apr-2017 08:08

Just installed the VoIPDiscount app, but can't get it to work properly, when I use my contacts to call, it doesn't call the UK landline - waited for about a minute - and I'm just seeing a blank (white) window at the top of the screen where (I presume) there's supposed to be a message about the status of the call?

Shutting it down and restarting yields the same results.

OK I'll do more research, but don't think thats going to be the one . . .

Thanks anyways

PhantomNVD

2619 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1759665 9-Apr-2017 08:37

You did say "cheap" but free preferred?

I'd say $6/m for Skype UK landlines would be about as cheap as it comes. If you use less minutes than one of the 0800 calling cards might even suit?

Alternately, get her to go into a VF/Three3/BT shop (whoever she pays the mobile bill) and get one of the staff to help her install WhatsApp/Viber (or whatever you use yourself) on her phone and show her which button to press to the app. WhatsApp automatically adds your contact list to the app and I find WhatsApp calls to the UK to be tolerable.

The interface is rather easy, and it shows "WhatsApp incoming call" with a tap to accept button just like a normal call (on my iPhone). WhatsApp is available for Apple, android, or windows phones, so unless her mobile is 10 years old this would probably be your easiest bet?

steevg

90 posts

Master Geek

#1759676 9-Apr-2017 09:04

Hi Phantom,

The problem with her having a mobile device is that she can't use it - she's 90 years old, in a wheelchair and we had someone install WhatsApp for her. Unfortunately she doesn't understand how to use it despite several attempts to guide her through it.

I posted here after spending numerous hours this week trying to "train" her to use Whats App - she will remember for a few days and then forget. The latest issue was that she had no idea how to turn the volume on the mobile up or down, and must have pressed the buttons at some stage which resulted in the volume being turned right down. Consequently, she couldn't hear us when we called and I spent 3 long mornings trying to take her through the process of just trying to turn up the volume, and failed!

Unfortunately the landline is the only device she understands.

I'll go back to Skype to check their rates, but I doubt if we'd rack up $6 worth of calling in a month using the previous EasyCall system so was hoping to find a freebie or a service where I can add credits as and when required at similar rates to EasyCall. $10 topup used to last us about 3-4 months.

Thanks anyways, appreciate the reply.

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

mugs2000

66 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#1759686 9-Apr-2017 09:21

2talk.co.nz has a plan that will cost you about 3.5c / minute to landlines. Their app behaves peculiarly at times but there are several VOIP apps on android, and I presume iphone as well. You can get the required settings from their website.

steevg

90 posts

Master Geek

#1760149 10-Apr-2017 12:16

mugs2000

Many thanks, I'll check that out and report back.

shk292

2853 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1760179 10-Apr-2017 13:13

Skype-out is the obvious solution for this. it isn't free, but as the receiving telephone provider charges a termination fee, I doubt there is a free option.

We use Skype-out to UK quite often, it's about 2.5c (US) per minute I think - a $20 top-up of Skype credit lasts a long time

mattwnz

20141 posts

Uber Geek

#1760181 10-Apr-2017 13:14

Call zero, think it is actually the same as 2talk mentioned above

cshwone

1070 posts

Uber Geek

#1760191 10-Apr-2017 13:25

If she has internet why not get a standalone VOIP handset to pug into her router. looks like a phone, acts like a phone and using Skype - free calls. I got that sorted for my mum-in-law through a local installer in the UK and works a charm.

steevg

90 posts

Master Geek

#1760360 10-Apr-2017 17:05

Hi & thanks for the responses

Some great idea's there.

cshwone - I'll definitely check that option out.

Who did you use to install?

Does the phone need to be configured or the router?

If it's the router it may be an issue as she lives in a residential home.

Thanks again to all.