Hi everyone, I have a pen pal in the Ohio corrections system and I'd like to set up a local Ohio telephone number so they can call me. Can anyone recommend a reputable service that would make this possible? As it is right now I have to do a prepaid account through GTL and its costing me about $3.50 per 15 minute call. So obviously I would want something more cost efficient, not some $30 a month plan. Thanks very much in advance!
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Hi,
try Sonetel.com
very reasonable, customer service is very good. I've been using them for a couple of months, I'm in the UK and have a number local to the prison. Any questions just ask.
Thanks. How much does it cost on our end? Is an inmate able to just call one of their numbers like a regular local number and only be charged regular phone time?
Are you in the US?
It costs $4.80 for a half an hour call and Sonetel make a small charge per month, $2.49 I think. for use of the number and then about 82cents for the call depending on length. I will check tomorrow, and confirm.
The phone call cost comes out of my account, it is collect.
If he has money in his account then yes, he will just call the local number which is then redirected to you. The number had to be verified and I did this by emailing a copy of my driving licence to Telmate (aka Getting out). I don't know how it works for other companies.
$4.80 per half hour call? Plus a service fee, plus $2.49 monthly for the number? Hmmm.... that's starting to creep up there in price compared to $3.50 per call with GTL.
Did you mean that the $4.80 is what the prison charges for you a call? In my case, my pen pal in Ohio has phone time and can call out to local numbers fairly cheap, no need to be on any approved list or anything. I signed up for the free trial with Sonetel, but I'm curious to know how much will they charge for the call itself? i.e. how long will the 50 cents free credit last? It says they charge $0.009 per minute within the States and North America, so technically about 50 minutes, give or take? Don't want to go through all this trouble only to get dinged for more that it would have cost to begin with using GTL.
I did this some time ago so I'm not sure on the specifics, but you can get a local google voice number. It's a free service for your first number.
yes the $4.80 is the prison charge for half an hour, local call rate
sonetel charge about 80cents for the same time.
I can't remember how long the 50 cents lasted, but not long, but then I'm in the UK.
Thanks @Sunnsideup this may come in very handy for me in the future :D
Ive been doing this a while and the best I have found is Skype. Buy a skype number, costs $18 for 3 months and he will pay the price of a local call which in Ohio is 80 cents per 15 mins. I have been using it for years, no problems.
Google voice is great only draw back you can only get a google voice number if you are in the USA. I got mine on my last trip over
I myself am looking for a good virtual number for Russia. Who can help?