What is this BT SmartTalkyou may well ask - perhaps surprisingly it's an app +other stuff that allows people with BT Broadband Home Hubs to 'use' their BT phone account from their mobile anywhere in the world!. Obviously this can be expensive if you do it over a data connection, but it defaults to Wi-Fi if it can find it. So you get cheap or free local and BT standard rate worldwide calls on your mobile.
Now BT make a point that you have to be in the UK to set this up, so not being one to decline a nerdish challenge I set out to do it from Goa: N.B. 1) I do have BT broadband in the UK; 2) I did (of course) configure a public key SSH tunnel into my UK set-up using ddns to get my home IP address.
i. You need a BT userId linked to your email address - I already had one but you /may/ get the chance create one during the app set up. ii. Next you need to download the app - from the Google app Store or direct from BT - <zap> - both use geo-sensing and don't offer the app if you're outside the UK <<zippo>> - this is where the SSH tunnel comes in - open it up and set your favourite browser to use a LocalHost proxy and you're 'home and dry'. iii. Install the app on your latest offering from e-Cathay and choose [Sign Up] You are immediately challenged to confirm [I'm at Home] - this is where you need the third item you prepared earlier - someone in your house to answer the phone - verify this using some simpler means of communication - then click [I'm at Home] (at this point you may get the chance to get a BT UserId), iv you will be asked to enter your home phone number (don't think you can spoof this) and click [Call my home phone now] ... v BT will do exactly that (it may take a few minutes) and will give 'You' a four-digit Activation code. 'You' can pass this on to /you/ by landline/sms/cellphone/email/etc. vi Type in your Activation code and click [Next] vii You are prompted to enter your cellphone number (apparently you /can/ spoof this - e.g. using "the friend in your house's number") I had a UK sim with me so I topped that up and made sure it was set for international roaming - the only downside to either option is that the no. you enter is used for caller id. Now click [Send PIN] viii 1st BIG surprise - I got the PIN sms on my mobile with the UK sim - Enter the PIN and click [OK] then swipe through the blurb screens - ix Finally select [Start using BT SmartTalk] ...<<zippo>> ... you're cooking on gas! 90% of the above applies even if you are in the UK doing it all 'legit' - nothing to it really(!) AndyD 8-)?