[okfn-coord] cheaper conference calls

Wed Sep 2 16:28:56 UTC 2009

One of my action points was to find a cheaper conference call
provider.  In doing this I have found that almost everyone uses an
0844 number.  The charges here are difficult to calculate, as you need
this:
http://www.productsandservices.bt.com/consumer/consumerProducts/pdf/SpecialisedNos.pdf
And good luck finding this for your mobile provider -
http://www1.orange.co.uk/service_plans/paymonthly/services_price_guides.html

The best 0844 number I have found is here:
http://www.conferencegenie.co.uk/pricing.php which is 1.7p per min
after 6pm (most providers do not have the off peak number). From
orange this is 12p per minute.

The phone based alternative is to pay for the service, but these are
typically 5p per minute payable by the host.  0800 based numbers are
10p per minute from orange.

Typical costs then (60 min call):

0800 from landline £3 to OKFN
0800 from mobile £3 to OKFN, £6 to individual
0844836 from landline, £1 to individual
0844836 from mobile, £7.20 to individual

It seems the mobile costs are unavoidable(£6/7), so I would suggest we
use the conferencegenie, unless we can use skype.

Cost of a skypein number 15EUR for three months, which is <1EUR per
month per participant, and it is a standard rate (0207) number.  This
suggests everyone can dial into one number:
http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=139691

Hope this helps,
James