Question about calling Ukraine

[goldenfoxx]

Hello All,

Long time lurker but first time post... and before I ask you my question, thank you to all the people here who have given me great information on the whole Russian dating process... you have helped me immensely.

Story so far:  I have met a lady I am interested in, in a small city near Kiev,Ukraine (Poltava).  We have been corresponding for a few weeks now, so naturally I wanted her number to call her.  Now I am a pretty smart man... but I cant seem to figure out the Ukrainian phone system.  The number she gave me is in this format 099-###-#### (please no jokes about not being able to call a '#' digit.. ) and I have been dialing 380 as a prefix... but no dice.  I called from my mobile (from the US) dialing 011 380  099 ####### but that didn't seem to work.  Then, I bought a Nobelcom phone card and used that (using my mobile) to dial 380 099 ### - ### but that simply led to a paced "bzzzzz" - "bzzzzz" sound.  I cant seem to figure out what I am doing wrong, so if you could provide insight... I would greatly appreciate it... my faith in my competency is faltering here...   


Thanks Everyone,
Goldenfoxx

[krimster2]

I don't know what country you're dialing from, but if you're calling from the USA you have to first dial the international calling prefix "011" then "380" then the number

if you start calling this woman a lot, get skype!

[JayH]

Hello All,

Long time lurker but first time post... and before I ask you my question, thank you to all the people here who have given me great information on the whole Russian dating process... you have helped me immensely.

Story so far:  I have met a lady I am interested in, in a small city near Kiev,Ukraine (Poltava).  We have been corresponding for a few weeks now, so naturally I wanted her number to call her.  Now I am a pretty smart man... but I cant seem to figure out the Ukrainian phone system.  The number she gave me is in this format 099-###-#### (please no jokes about not being able to call a '#' digit.. ) and I have been dialing 380 as a prefix... but no dice.  I called from my mobile (from the US) dialing 011 380  099 ####### but that didn't seem to work.  Then, I bought a Nobelcom phone card and used that (using my mobile) to dial 380 099 ### - ### but that simply led to a paced "bzzzzz" - "bzzzzz" sound.  I cant seem to figure out what I am doing wrong, so if you could provide insight... I would greatly appreciate it... my faith in my competency is faltering here...   


Thanks Everyone,
Goldenfoxx

Ok--    +38 099   --you have zero too many. Next if that does not work  --my query is the 99  -- maybe 9? --double check that.
Let us know.

[krimster2]

oops sorry should have read your complete post and I would've seen you had "011", it's probably "99" and not "099"

[goldenfoxx]

Thanks for the responses...

I will take your advice tonight... its 3 am in Ukraine right now... seems a BIT early to call... 

Will keep you updated...

[ML]

011 38 099 XXX XXXX

[mendeleyev]

Golden, welcome.

Poltava is a nice place and if you are an outdoors type of guy, you'll love the summer months.

[AkMike]

Since the others have pretty much covered the calling, I'll add that Poltava isn't that close to Kyiv. It'll be about 4 -5 hrs ride on a bus from Kyiv. I'm in Cherkasy and it's around 3 + to get here.

[BillyB]

Will keep you updated...

How did the over the phone proposal go? Inquiring minds want to know!

[JayH]

Since the others have pretty much covered the calling, I'll add that Poltava isn't that close to Kyiv. It'll be about 4 -5 hrs ride on a bus from Kyiv. I'm in Cherkasy and it's around 3 + to get here.

Mike it is about  340kms  Kiev-Poltava .The new road that is now substantially completed ( still sections not open both ways and construction active in sections)   and in Ukraine terms it is a sensational road. Perfect surface  and 130KMH speed limits( plus 30kmh that they say is ignored!!)    and easy  to maintain high average speed-- so a relatively quick trip.  It is great  see a close  to German quality freeway-- save for a couple of features!!
  There is access in many places from side roads !!   You can do U-Turns  at specific places !! ( no money to build under or overpasses and expensive interchanges)  and the one that terrifies me-- pedestrian crossings ( no lights--just a pedestrian taking life in someone else's hands )-- so driving still requires 110% concentration!   It is not too bad when driving alone-- but in traffic all you see is brake lights !!
  The Kiev-Cherkassy road is   good/ok by Ukraine standards-- mostly single lane each way but requires a lot of concentration from driver.Can average 100kmh ok in good conditions  for a little over 200kms from Kiev-- so about 2 hour drive.

In both cases(ie same road) from Kiev takes you right past Boryspil Airport ( about 30kms from Kiev downtown) -- so on the way!
The bus ride would be easy trip in Ukrainian terms on these roads--especially to Poltava.

Now the op has all this info--let us see if his call worked !

[AkMike]

They got the good roads and we didn't even get the pot holes filled??     Wazz sup wit dat??

[goldenfoxx]

Thank you everyone for your help, interest and advice,

Alas, following your advice still hasn't panned out.  I hear what I think is ringing but unfortunately there is no connection.  I will talk to my little lady and find out if perhaps I am calling at the wrong time.  Never give up, never surrender. right?  We will see...

Unfortunately, I know myself and I will not be able to maintain my amorous interest only over emails... and the end of April (when I plan to go to Poltava) seems a long ways away.

We will see,

I will keep you updated and more than welcome your advice and comments   

[2tallbill]

Thank you everyone for your help, interest and advice,

Alas, following your advice still hasn't panned out.  I hear what I think is ringing but unfortunately there is no connection.  I will talk to my little lady and find out if perhaps I am calling at the wrong time.  Never give up, never surrender. right?  We will see...

Unfortunately, I know myself and I will not be able to maintain my amorous interest only over emails... and the end of April (when I plan to go to Poltava) seems a long ways away.

We will see,

I will keep you updated and more than welcome your advice and comments   

You can also call her using skype which is easier and usually costs less.
You put in the country and not the country codes then the number.

[goldenfoxx]

Thanks 2tallbill... I will try that.

By the way... love your stories... very entertaining and insightful.   

[BillyB]

Alas, following your advice still hasn't panned out.  I hear what I think is ringing but unfortunately there is no connection.  I will talk to my little lady and find out if perhaps I am calling at the wrong time.  Never give up, never surrender. right?  We will see...

I used the phone a lot when communicating with ladies over there. I still think it's better than Skype since you can learn more about a person so don't give up. The company you're using, Nobelcom,  gives you a couple of to choose from when calling Ukraine and the card you buy may make a difference. Is the number you're using a landline or mobile number? Also, if one card don't work, use another card. That can make a difference. Those phone card companies could be using equipment from 60's. Sometimes I get endless ringing but the lady never gets it. Sometimes we endure a lot of static noise. Sometimes we can hear other people's calls. Sometimes the calls just disconnect. It can be an adventure but keep trying and try other phone cards.

[ML]

Hey, I already gave you the exact correct sequence.

011 38 099 XXX XXXX

Has worked for over 15 years for me; and still works for my spouse when she calls family there currently.

[LAman]

Hey, I already gave you the exact correct sequence.

011 38 099 XXX XXXX

Has worked for over 15 years for me; and still works for my spouse when she calls family there currently.

But  but just use your cell phone and hold down the '0' button till you see '+'
 
To be honest, I would just use your cell phone and pay the 25- 30 cents per minute charge just to see if you can get a connection through. Make sure you arrange a set time for call her, to make sure she can hear it ring or her phone is on!!

Could be you got a number that no one will ever answer. Do you get a message in Ukrainian/Russian...that could mean not able to connect.

[JayH]

You can also call her using skype which is easier and usually costs less.
You put in the country and not the country codes then the number.

`Since when could you call a  phone number from Skype?????
Sure you can with a paid subscription-- even then to call Ukraine is a charged call( albeit at very competitive rate)

The cost of making a few calls in formative stage of getting contact systems in place is nothing.

[krimster2]

`Since when could you call a  phone number from Skype?????"

you can call land lines or mobile phones from Skype  - from USA calling a Ukrainian  land line # is 10 cents per minute and mobile # is 20 cents per minute
 for more info:

http://secure.skype.com/en/calling-rates?wt.mc_id=legacy

[BC]

anyone ever heard of whatsapp?
If she ain't already got it or can't get it I'd beware

[JayH]

`Since when could you call a  phone number from Skype?????"

you can call land lines or mobile phones from Skype  - from USA calling a Ukrainian  land line # is 10 cents per minute and mobile # is 20 cents per minute
 for more info:

http://secure.skype.com/en/calling-rates?wt.mc_id=legacy

Is that possible without a paid subscription? ( if so--must be US difference)
"To call international numbers from Skype you’ll need to buy a little Skype Credit or a subscription."
http://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA10938/how-do-i-dial-an-international-number

[krimster2]

calling land lines/mobile lines from Skype is somewhat similar to having a calling card, you add a certain amount, for example $25 to your Skype balance, and when you call, the minutes used are subtracted from the balance, they also have auto-refill.  call quality is superior compared to calling cards/telephone

[JayH]

Sort of ironic--I had not seen that before today.Like I keep saying-- things change !!

I have had paid subscription since it was first available--and not looked at site as such in more recent times !

[LAman]

Sort of ironic--I had not seen that before today.Like I keep saying-- things change !!

I have had paid subscription since it was first available--and not looked at site as such in more recent times !

Not so much things change..... been using it for years. Mostly for calling home/business clients when in Ukraine or any other country when I have internet service...cost is ~10 cents a minute with good clarity.

[JayH]

Not so much things change..... been using it for years. Mostly for calling home/business clients when in Ukraine or any other country when I have internet service...cost is ~10 cents a minute with good clarity.

To be precise-I have had paid subscription for many years that enables calls(to phone numbers) all around the world--what is newer to me is the ability to do this WITHOUT subscription .Skype has kept making changes-- not all are improvements to service .

btw-- calls to US  landlines and mobiles are no charge with subscription