Calls to UK more expensive as of 2021

[memory man]

The European Commission reached out to EU telecommunications providers on Thursday advising that charges pertaining to the UK will no longer be in effect as of next year ahead of the expiry of the transition period on 31 December, 2020 following Brexit, Phileleftheros reports.

The change affects charges for telephone calls, sms and mobile data and the new charges — to go into force as of 1 January, 2021 — will be agreed between Cyprus and UK providers as is the case for third country companies, which effectively translates to considerably more expensive services for consumers.

The Commission explains that as of 1 February, 2020, the UK withdrew from the EU thereby becoming a third country. The transition period expires on 31 December, 2020, and during the transition period the EU and the UK will negotiate an agreement for a new business relationship that mainly provides for a free trade area.

However, the EC clarified that it is not certain whether such an agreement will be reached and enforced at the end of the transition period and therefore urges providers to take relevant measures.

The first issue that needs to be resolved, Phileleftheros notes, is the potential move to EU member countries of the headquarters of telecoms providers now based in the UK, should the latter wish to continue providing the same wholesale or retail pricing. This is an issue that affects Cyprus too as there are companies that offer — especially in the wholesale market — services from the UK to Cyprus and vice versa.

In addition, increases are expected in the wholesale and retail costs of calls and sms both for users from the UK to Cyprus and the opposite.

A rise is also expected in roaming charges that will affect British visitors to Cyprus when the tourist market recovers but also Cyprus travellers to the UK using their Cypriot numbers.

https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/calls-t ... s-of-2021/

[WHL]

Not a problem, most people facetime, skype, whats up, all free

[Kili01]

Thats good news WHL, hope it's true! Hope the EU or UK doesn't think of a way to raise taxes and charges with the service providers?

Dee

[darrow]

Also expensive for people who have elderly relatives who are not tech savvy and do not use internet.

[WHL]

Thats good news WHL, hope it's true! Hope the EU or UK doesn't think of a way to raise taxes and charges with the service providers?

Dee

What do you mean, hope its true, you telling me you have never used, facetime, skype or watsup ?

[trevnhil]

I have never used any of the three mentioned. I do use Email, and face Book Messenger, and I even make local calls on my phone ..

[The Aquila]

One things that surprised me here is that people don’t use FaceTime / WhatsApp/ Skype....although Skype is less common now I believe. Another couple of decent video calling apps are Zoom and Microsoft Teams (for those using legitimate MS products)

[galexinda]

Also expensive for people who have elderly relatives who are not tech savvy and do not use internet.

I use the internet but have disabled the microphone and camera facility on my computer. Don't like the idea of anyone being able to spy on me!

[WHL]

Another one we use is Geo,

[Kili01]

I use WhatsApp and Facetime and they are great for keeping in touch with friends and family. I can even use it to call family in Sydney. Not knowing much about their technical side, I hope that both apps continue to be free after Dec.
What I an concerned about is the cost of calling companies such as my UK bank, after next Dec, where there is an automated national call line, and waiting in a queue for up to 45mins for a real person to speak to (about an important query) Seems normal. But what will this cost? Especially as most UK companies which I have spoken to over the last couple of months still seem to have their employees working from home which doesn't always work as efficiently as when they are working normally from their offices.

What do our techie minded members suggest to reduce costs, if possible?
Dee

[galexinda]

Kili01's post: ''What I an concerned about is the cost of calling companies such as my UK bank, after next Dec, where there is an automated national call line, and waiting in a queue for up to 45mins for a real person to speak to (about an important query) Seems normal. But what will this cost?''

Does your UK bank have the facility in its Customer Support Centre for you to set up an on-line chat?
IE you type a message and get a written response from the employee dealing with your case following a security check.
Better than a phone call as you have a written record of what was discussed.

[mike strand2]

Ever since I've been in Cyprus (11 yrs) I have used localphone.com

You load it with say £5. Enter your desired number. The number you're calling is then allocated a Nicosia number to call. Whether the Nicosia number is a Primetel number I don't know, but Primetel never charges from my landline. Calls to the UK are charged at £ 0.005 per minute. Other countries are a different rate shown against the number you are calling. Calls to 0800 numbers are Free, just drop the first 0.

My last call was 45.1 minutes and £0.22 was deducted from my account. Very cheap. No set-up charge either.

[Kili01]

That sounds good, Mike. But that happens now. What will happen post the UK's Brexit from the EU?

Dee

[mike strand2]

That sounds good, Mike. But that happens now. What will happen post the UK's Brexit from the EU?

Dee

As I said. I used it 11 years ago, pre EU rules on roaming, so as it's an international service, I can't see their costs changing, particularly as its voice over internet. The call charge back then was originally 0.004 per min, raised to 0.005 a few years ago.

[mike strand2]

That sounds good, Mike. But that happens now. What will happen post the UK's Brexit from the EU?

Dee

As I said. I used it 11 years ago, pre EU rules on roaming, so as it's an international service, I can't see their costs changing, particularly as its voice over internet. The call charge back then was originally 0.004 per min, raised to 0.005 a few years ago.

Just to be clear that cost is to call a UK landline, not Mobile.

Read this too. No final decision has been made according to the BBC News website. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45064268

[J B]

Ever since I've been in Cyprus (11 yrs) I have used localphone.com

We use localphone to call CY and it works well

[Kili01]

Many thanks, Mike. I'll try it when I next need it.

Dee