'Cheap' calls to India.

[Headtime]

Why are phone calls to India so much more expensive than to other countries? I've always noticed those adverts for discounted phones services, and they always state 'America 3p/min, Germany 4p/min, Australia 6p/min India 48p./min'. Does anyony know why this is?

[Phantaxus]

As nobody has posted I thought I would give it a go. The only thing I can come up with is America, Germany and Austrailia will have digital exchanges so all the switching of your call is done by computers. India on the other hand probably still have exchanges that employ a telephonist to route you call so the initial cost of connecting your call would be higher. Hence the higher charges.

[Headtime]

Cheers, Phantaxus. You're correct, this question did get a dismal response!

[vinee]

Yes u r right,even i experience the same b'coz i call india 4-5 times a week,but since i have started calling from this no. which is 0871 570 0263,i m only paying 10pence per minute to mobiles or landline anywhere in india.hope this might help u also.

[dodgyshirt]

Of course India must still be on an operator system, thats why every other British company is basing its Call-Centre there Dohhhhhhhhhhhh

[Sunny]

You can call India 9p/min on 08715708084 for calls to mobiles and landlines. This is the cheapest I could find!

[r_patel]

Has anyone tried www.pocketdialuk.com This is the cheapest I have found. You can call India for 10p a minute by dialing. 0871 570 6084 But they also have another service that lets you call India for just 4p a minute and it also works from mobiles. Its good because you do not have to use a credit card or open some new accounts.

[shyamvn]

try http://www.telestunt.co.uk/ this offers 7p/min calls to india, the cheapest I found to call to india.

[vjuvvadi]

You can use 08715703003 to call india landline or mobile for only 10p a minute. And if you are using 3 network you can use inclusive minutes for free to call India. To discuss more about calling cards you can go to http://www.freewebs.com/callingcardsinfo

[suvro333]

I think you should know your facts before you let everyone know what you think. India has digital exchanges and the idea that telephonist will route the call sound so 1950 ish. The problem is there is a govt organisation called vsnl which has monopoly over all the basic network connections. It does has good hold over govt and its regulating body so much so that few years ago VOIP was not legal in India. Good news is, Govt has decided to cut down the monopolistic, approach and has opened itself to competition. VOIP is also legal now. It is now upto enterpeneur like yourself to seize the oppurtunity, get the business and bring the cost down. Wheels turn but it does not turn fast enough, as we would have liked it to be. Talking about call center jobs, everyone (atleast in cities) studies english from preschool. I guess it is legacy from colonial era and we do thank the Queen for it. Do not be a cry baby. World is a global economy. India has human resource, it is using it. The guys working in call centers may be drinking coke whose manager might be a US citizen. Restrictions and monopoly has not served anybody any good. I remember in 1970s we have to wait 7 years to get a car not because people were not able to pay but because Govt insisted on indigenous production using indigenous steel. Resource is a resource whichever way you see it.

[meerar]

hi vjuwadi
you said that
"Answer You can use 08715703003 to call india landline or mobile for only 10p a minute. And if you are using 3 network you can use inclusive minutes for free to call India."

Is that really possible. i am on 3 videotalk 500 can i use my 500 free minutes on a 0871 number. somehow i am not convinced. have you tried it and if so please confirm that you have not been charged. thanks in advance for your response