Posted by
Caffrey
16 yrs ago
I am trying to find out if there is a way to call the UK and Europe from our landline here cheaply? Any suggestions?
Also, does anyone know where to get our great terracota soldiers fixed after having their hands broken via the relocation packers? As they are made of clay/terracota I can only guess they need a specialist but cannot find anyone.
Finally, anyone know of any gymnastic classes for 3-5 year olds? Preferable in the southside but if not there, then on the HK island somewhere?
Many thanks in advance for any advice.
Maxine
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There are various IDD packages available. Unfortunately I am no expert on those. Haven't had a landline for years. We just use a Skype phone (not a computer). Very cheap and quite reliable.
"Finally, anyone know of any gymnastic classes for 3-5 year olds?"
ESF (English Schools Foundation) has a ton of classes open to the public at their schools. Here is info on gymnastics: http://www.esf.org.hk/esf_sports/programmes/gymnastics.asp
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Try http://www.idtasia.net/en-HK/residential/ They have good rates to UK and Europe.
Gymnastics classes also available at HKCC but I think you have to be sponsored by a member.
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Hi, I'm guessing you don't already subscribe PCCW's special rate promotion (0060) on your land-line? To be honest I've never been bothered to try anyone else in the last ten years as I reckon it's pretty cheap (and connections are always reliable and clear with no delay etc.).
My latest bill, dated 29 May, for one month, was as follows:
Residential tel line: $140
Privacy pack: $30
43 calls to UK landlines and mobiles, total call time 384 minutes (i.e. about 6 and a half hours): $367
Total bill: $508
e.g. a 25-minute call to my Mum in the UK cost $8.80. Bargain!
N.B. The bill was more than usual this month because there was one expensive call, to a mobile in Belgium, which was $115 for 11 minutes, so Belgium is probably not included in the 0060 special rate. I must remember to check which countries are...
Hope this helps.
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Interesting. An 11 minute call to Belgium with IDT's rates would have been $5.28 rather than your $115. Uk calls same rates.
For calls to continental Europe, as asked by OP, 0060 will not compete.
My last bill, 75 calls to Uk, Uk mob, France, France mob, Denmark, NZ, lasting 667 minutes was $355. (Thames, are you sure you have the right service? :-))
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I'll agree with spurtio that the PCCW promotion sounds expensive.
For comparison, Skype is HK$69.99/month for unlimited outbound calling to 20 countries in Europe or HK$109.99/month for 40 countries worldwide. Limited minutes options are cheaper.
An incoming HK phone number on Skype costs HK$450/year (that's 37.50/month). This is a "real" number. One cool feature is that you can have multiple numbers and in several countries. So grandma can call a number local to her in Sweden or the US and it rings wherever you are.
Since Skype is decoupled from the location, you can login anywhere you are. Say you're on vacation in Thailand. Get on WiFi with your iPhone or computer and log in. Your subscription and incoming number "come with you" and you can call and received calls as normal.
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Yes, I use skype alot but the hands free system on my mac isn't as clear for those at the other end - need to invest in a skype phone to plug in I guess! I did try using the wifi on my iphone yesterday which was clearer but the connection kept cutting out even though I was sat at my desk and didn't move! It would be useful if there was a cheap deal via the landline. I am with PCCW but will check out the idtasia that was recommended. Thanks for your help. Also thanks for the suggestion of the ESF schools for gymnastics - theres alot of choice there so am very impressed!
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Here's another option on IDD company for your comparison- Asia Telecom 1611. http://www.asiatel.com.hk. I am also using it and the customer service guy who serves my account has been helpful and friendly. Guess quite a portion of their customers are domestic helpers working in Asia (perhaps most of their operators are southeast Asians) though I got this contact via the business centre we use to rent. So the rate should be cheap and it was in fact cheap so I also use it for personal calls.
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