https://www.mytello.com/en_TH/

99.99% of my overseas calling is on WhatApp, Teams or the like, but I do occasionally need to call a UK landline.

I asked the Oracle what the cheapest way to call the UK from Thailand is and it suggested MyTello.

So, I'm game for a new experience so I installed the app, loaded some credit and called the DWP in the UK to see what had happened to my pension application.

Overall a very positive experience, both from MyTello and the nice lady at the DWP.

Calling a UK landline is 0.3Baht per minute + 1.5Baht and your credit never expires.

Definitely worth a look if you don't make vast numbers of calls.

Of course, if you find something better (cheaper) let us know, I'm not on commission or anything.

The only reason i chose Talk360 over Mytello is with Mytello you can't set a caller ID of your UK mobile number. When i use Talk360 it looks like I'm calling from the UK which is what i want

4 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

The only reason i chose Talk360 over Mytello is with Mytello you can't set a caller ID of your UK mobile number. When i use Talk360 it looks like I'm calling from the UK which is what i want

Yeah, the nice DWP lady asked me to confirm where I was calling from, evidently part of the "security" check.

It may be worth noting that Localphone doesn't charge for Freephone numbers, allows your UK number to be displayed and doesn't charge a connection fee.

I had the same issue.

I tried 2-3 different apps (from my mobile here in TH to Europe landlines.

I choosed the App "Viber". The costs are peanuts, once charged with 30US$. And made several calls since then, and still over 28US$.

As usual, they all try to get as much as possible from your personal datas.

As I like to check before downloading such apps, Quote AI:

By default, Viber uses end-to-end encryption for private chats and calls, ensuring that the content cannot be read by third parties or the service provider. However, critics point to extensive data collection, access to the address book, and opaque server structures when compared to strict open-source messaging apps.

I don't give them access to my contacts, for iPhone possible, I don't know if Android lets you make this decison.

Means you have to type the first time the wished connection in yourself. Afterwards you can choose them from the list who you have contacted.

P.S. Also no commission of course.

What a coincidence that you started this thread today.

I just signed up with mytello a few hours ago.

But my call got cut off and I am waiting for the customer service to get back to me to explain why.

So you haven't had any problems with it?

3 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

What a coincidence that you started this thread today.

I just signed up with mytello a few hours ago.

But my call got cut off and I am waiting for the customer service to get back to me to explain why.

So you haven't had any problems with it?

Not yet.

But ...

5 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Not yet.

But ...

My first call didn't go through at all.

The customer service got back to me right away and he "re-routed it" and fixed it.

But the 2nd problem, they didn't get back to me all day.

Might be a good idea to ask what the customer service hours are. Not sure what time zone they are in.

Edit: The guy is in Austria

Edited August 11Aug 11 by save the frogs

8 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

The only reason i chose Talk360 over Mytello is with Mytello you can't set a caller ID of your UK mobile number. When i use Talk360 it looks like I'm calling from the UK which is what i want

Hm, is this true even if you're calling using VPN?

3 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Hm, is this true even if you're calling using VPN?

Probably but i don't use a VPN

13 hours ago, Crossy said:

Yeah, the nice DWP lady asked me to confirm where I was calling from, evidently part of the "security" check.

I use Mytello since Skype went under and it's been cheap and pretty reliable for UK calls. I think last time I called the DWP it was using Skype and I definitely wasn't asked where I was calling from at the time, so maybe they've tightened up on the security questions.

When I call family it just shows at the other end as caller ID withheld, it doesn't indicate the call is from overseas.

3 minutes ago, lamyai3 said:

When I call family it just shows at the other end as caller ID withheld, it doesn't indicate the call is from overseas.

They probably can tell if it's a call via the internet which likely means abroad, for a standard UK phone line or mobile the number will show

I also use Mytello since Skype folded.

No problems.

I also found one of these phone apps that can give you an Aussie number when calling from outside Aus, which is handy, but as usual in these twilight years I forgot where I saved it for Ron.

Anyone know which app gives you a home country number?

The other one i have seen is calltuv, but never used it yet,

Your local mobile provider will treat the call as a standard domestic call. You need inclusive domestic minutes or local credit on your SIM card to dial the Mytello access number.

So you have a local Thai sim, correct?

I use a different provider which gives me a phone number in my home country that I use to make calls over wifi that looks like a domestic phone call to the recipient. Top secret, it's not a UK company.

Anyway I am interested in using an eSIM for international calling.

Got credit on bcengi, but haven't tried it yet.

Got a physical sim for a $3 a month wifi based network that works on T-Mobile.

I plan on hooking up bcengi for the roaming data.

Won't be able to make phone calls when away from wifi, but can use roaming data which means Google search, Google maps, streaming, Whatsapp, etc

I do. Good 👍

Been looking since Skype went out, and finding it nearly impossible to get a US number that I can use for incoming and outgoing SMS, dependable and reasonably. Tried Fanytel. Works for incoming texts sometimes. Incoming and outgoing calls sometimes. Tried Numero. It was a dreadful experience. Yello no texting. Rebtel good for outgoing calls only.

Why is this such a challenge? Google voice seems way over priced, but may need to use if I can't find anything else.

Any suggestions? Need a solid, dedicated US number for this.

Yes recommended. Any unused cash is left on deposit until required later.

goood cheap system that works well

35 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Been looking since Skype went out, and finding it nearly impossible to get a US number that I can use for incoming and outgoing SMS, dependable and reasonably. Tried Fanytel. Works for incoming texts sometimes. Incoming and outgoing calls sometimes. Tried Numero. It was a dreadful experience. Yello no texting. Rebtel good for outgoing calls only.

Why is this such a challenge? Google voice seems way over priced, but may need to use if I can't find anything else.

Any suggestions? Need a solid, dedicated US number for this.

I signed up for Tello a few months ago, paying $5 a month for a US phone number with calling and texting but no data or roaming (which can be purchased separately). So far it works fine, but without roaming it only works in Thailand when I'm on WiFi, and wifi calling is enabled (DTAC cellular data doesn't cut it).

Oh, and the number they gave me does show up correctly on caller ID when I call financial institutions in the US.

6 minutes ago, khunjeff said:

I signed up for Tello a few months ago, paying $5 a month for a US phone number with calling and texting but no data or roaming (which can be purchased separately). So far it works fine, but without roaming it only works in Thailand when I'm on WiFi, and wifi calling is enabled (DTAC cellular data doesn't cut it).

Oh, and the number they gave me does show up correctly on caller ID when I call financial institutions in the US.

Hi,

Did you sign up while in Thailand ?. I am thinking of Getting an eSIM and activate here in Thailand however .

I understand Tello is no longer supporting outside USA activation. Can you share your experience. Thanks

I have had MyTello for 4/5 years.

Excellent.

46 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Been looking since Skype went out, and finding it nearly impossible to get a US number that I can use for incoming and outgoing SMS, dependable and reasonably. Tried Fanytel. Works for incoming texts sometimes. Incoming and outgoing calls sometimes. Tried Numero. It was a dreadful experience. Yello no texting. Rebtel good for outgoing calls only.

Why is this such a challenge? Google voice seems way over priced, but may need to use if I can't find anything else.

Any suggestions? Need a solid, dedicated US number for this.

I use Google voice and it's free to Canada and the US at least. You pay per minute for overseas calls but the rates are cheap. It's cheaper to call a landline in the Philippines and likely Thailand via voice than paying the cost calling from a local cell phone.

Works for banking for all the banks/investment institutions I deal with in Canada and the US.

I installed MyTello when Skype was discontinued. I use it regularly to call numbers in Australia and the UK. Never had any problems with it.

31 minutes ago, khunjeff said:

I signed up for Tello a few months ago, paying $5 a month for a US phone number with calling and texting but no data or roaming (which can be purchased separately). So far it works fine, but without roaming it only works in Thailand when I'm on WiFi, and wifi calling is enabled (DTAC cellular data doesn't cut it).

Oh, and the number they gave me does show up correctly on caller ID when I call financial institutions in the US.

Does it accept both incoming sms messages, and enable you to send them? Calls are secondary. Have other options for that, such as Rebtel and Fanytel.

37 minutes ago, gargamon said:

I use Google voice and it's free to Canada and the US at least. You pay per minute for overseas calls but the rates are cheap. It's cheaper to call a landline in the Philippines and likely Thailand via voice than paying the cost calling from a local cell phone.

Works for banking for all the banks/investment institutions I deal with in Canada and the US.

Google Voice is ideal IF you have a legitimate US PHONE # to list and access while setting it up. Otherwise, once they know you are outside the USA, they will only offer a specific Google Voice account AND a overall Google ____ account that each are about $10/month. That's more than Skype was , or that other plans are.

3 hours ago, carlyai said:

I also use Mytello since Skype folded.

No problems.

I also found one of these phone apps that can give you an Aussie number when calling from outside Aus, which is handy, but as usual in these twilight years I forgot where I saved it for Ron.

Anyone know which app gives you a home country number?

Possibly call.com

Yes, I use it for 2FA from the USA and phone calls.

4 hours ago, henryford1958 said:

The other one i have seen is calltuv, but never used it yet,

In surprised nobody has mentioned Yolla. I use it all the time. It's great and cheap.

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Does it accept both incoming sms messages, and enable you to send them? Calls are secondary. Have other options for that, such as Rebtel and Fanytel.

Yes, you can send and receive SMS, but only with a Tello SIM or e-SIM installed (and either roaming or using WiFi calling). They have an app, but it can only be used for calls, not messaging. I've had no problem receiving OTPs from US financial institutions, which was my main goal in using Tello to begin with.

2 hours ago, Alotoftravel said:

Hi,

Did you sign up while in Thailand ?. I am thinking of Getting an eSIM and activate here in Thailand however .

I understand Tello is no longer supporting outside USA activation. Can you share your experience. Thanks

I personally signed up and activated the service while I was in the US a few months ago - my phone doesn't accept e-SIM, so I had to wait for them to mail a physical SIM card. I've read mixed reports about activating an e-SIM while overseas; officially it's not supposed to be possible, but some people say they were able to do it successfully by using a VPN.