Frequently Asked Questions
How do I gain access to your service?
To gain access to our services you will have to sign up on this website or by calling our sales team.
What do I get from LYCATALK if I sign up?
LYCATALK will provide you with a LYCATALK personal account that you can access from any touch tone phone that you choose to use.
- You will receive:
- A unique account no.
- A unique PIN No.
- Access to the LYCATALK website to view your call history and your balance.
- Fantastic low International Call Rates!
How do I access the service from a regular phone?
LYCATALK will provide you with a LYCATALK personal account that you can access from any touch tone phone that you choose to use.
Accessing the LYCATALK service from any touch tone couldn't be easier.
Simply, register the phone numbers that you usually use with us.
When you dial in to the service using the given access numbers, your phone number will be recognised by our database and prompt you to enter your destination number.
Press * after entering the destination number for faster connection.
If you are calling from a fixed line or mobile then you simply dial 0207 132 0032 access numbers.
You will be asked to enter your unique Account number followed by PIN if your phone number is not registered to your account.
Attention! To dial destination number within the U.K. please enter the numbers without using the country code. E.g. To enter any landline in Manchester, please enter 0161 xxx- xxxx and to call mobiles just dial 07xxxxxxxxx.
Please note the following:
Please do not press the dial or enter key after entering the destination number.
Please do not select the destination numbers from the contact list/phone book of your phones/mobiles and press enter/dial as this will generate a new call which will be charged by your phone/mobile operator.
How do I use 18500?
You can use the service in the following way when you have registered your BT landline number:
Dial: 18500 / 18747 (FREE from BT landlines),
enter the destination number, including the full local, national or international dialling code and number in one continuous string E.g. 18500 00 44 20 7536 6476
Please note the following:
- Please do not press the dial or enter key after entering the destination number.
- Please do not select the destination numbers from the contact list/phone book of your
phones/mobiles and press enter/dial as this will generate a new call which will be charged
by your phone/mobile operator. - The 18747 service can only be used from a BT line registered with our service.
How do I pay for the LYCATALK Service?
Paying for your LYCATALK is very easy. You can pay for your LYCATALK using our secure payment methods:
(A) TOP UP Voucher
A customer can walk into any Lycatalk top up voucher available Shops & pay the money & get his prepaid account topped up voucher. Lycatalk TOP UP voucher is available for
(B) Auto Top Up
You can use your debit / credit card to automatically top your account up.
This means that when your account reaches a certain level - usually 10, we will automatically top up your account with a pre-set amount of money from your registered debit/credit card that has been agreed and preset by you.
This saves you the problem of having to remember to top up your account and means that you seldom run out of credit on your accounts and do not experience the undue inconveniences.
You can also set your maximum levels of credit for each day or month allowing you even more control of your account by visiting our website www.lycatalk.co.uk
You may also set-up auto top-up by calling our customer services.
Please note that if the payment is declined during top-up you may not be able to make calls using the service.
(C) Web Site Top Up
You can also top up your account online. All you need to do is:
- log in to your account by entering your account number and password,
- Click on Top-up Account.
- Enter the last 6-digits of your registered credit card or debit card number, you wish to use
- click RETRIEVE
- Select the type of card
- enter the amount you wish to top up your account by
- Ensure all mandatory fields are filled
- Click Proceed to move to the next page and Proceed to confirm.
- All online payments are made over our secure connections.
(D) IVR Top UP
If you have registered a credit or debit card with us you can top up your account by 10, using IVR.
Simply dial the access number from your registered line and then key in "*" then "3" on your phone once you are connected to the service and follow the prompts - it's easy!
(Please see How to use guide for instructions on IVR Top-up)
Is there any way I can connect faster?
Yes you can. Currently after entering the destination number, please press the * key, you may get connected quicker. You can also use our speed dial facility.
Is there any speed dial facility?
Yes you can register your numbers for speed dial and then use the service by following instructions for speed dial.
How to use speed dial service?
- Dial access number
- Enter A/c number followed by PIN (from unregistered phones)
- Enter speed dial Key (1.9) when you are prompted to enter your destination number.
- Press * after entering your speed enter number (Key),
for e.g. if your destination number is registered at no. 1, dial 1* and it will attempt to connect immediately.
How do I set up speed dial?
Speed dial can be set up in two ways:
- via website
- Simply log on to www.lycatalk.co.uk,
- Click on Access your Lycatalk Account and enter your account number and your password.
- This will lead you to the Account information page
- Enter the name of the contact under the Name column
- Enter the destination number of the contact name under the New Phone Number column
- Click ADD.
- The numbers will be stored in the serial number (Key) as added.
- To add more numbers follow the same process.
via customer service
You can set up speed dial by calling our customer services on
Please ensure you have the following details with you:
- Your account number
- Password set by you when you opened the account.
Can I use the service from any phone?
Of course, even if the landline/mobile is not registered with us then you can still use the service, just dial 0207 access number we provide, your account number followed by PIN and enter the destination number, your call can then be placed. The 18500 / 18747 access number can be only used via a BT landline. Remember that calls from a payphone carry a surcharge, up to 25 pence per minute. . We recommend that if you have a cheap national call rate on your landline tariff, or if you have free inclusive minutes on your calling plan, that you use our 0207 132 0032 access number.
Can I use the service from my mobile?
Yes. Please check with your mobile operator for charges to dial the access numbers. Usually, 0207 access numbers are included in the free inclusive minutes plan but you should confirm with your mobile service provider.
Please note the following:
Please do not press the dial or enter key after entering the destination number.
Please do not select the destination numbers from the contact list/phone book of your phones/mobiles and press enter/dial as this will generate a new call which will be charged by your phone/mobile operator.
What happens when my balance runs down to 0.00 or low on credit?
When your balance runs down to 0.00 or low on credit you can top-up your account by:
- Website
- Phone/IVR
- Customer services
- Auto top-up
What is the auto top up and how does it work?
You can use your debit / credit card to automatically top your account up.
This means that when your account reaches a certain level - usually 10 we will automatically top up your account with a pre agreed amount of money from your registered credit/debit card.
This saves you the problem of having to remember to top up your account and means that you never run out of credit on your account or experience any unnecessary inconvenience.
How to use the added Feature Keys?
Once you are connected to the service use the following feature keys to enhance your LYCATALK experience.
- For a Follow on call : # #
- Top up your account by phone - * 3 ( by registered lines and credit / debit card only)
- For last number redial - # 1
- For balance on demand - # 2
- For faster connection - Press * after dialling the destination number
- For speed dial Press * after dialling your speed dial number, for e.g. if your destination number is
registered at no. 3, dial 3* and it will attempt to connect immediately.
What promotional offers do you have?
LYCATALK may be running different offers on a regular basis.
These offers may be communicated to you via the web site, text message or by e-mail communications.
If you have been referred by a friend make sure you give us their account number when you sign up and they may get a bonus - make sure that you also refer your friends and ask them to give your account number - You too could get a bonus*
Can I use the service from a payphone?
Yes, this service can be used from a payphone. we provide, enter your a/c number followed by PIN, followed by the destination number with the complete international dialling code at the prompt... Remember that calls from a payphone carry a surcharge, of 25 pence per minute. BT bills us for this as a maintenance charge and uses it for their equipment.
Can I use the service abroad?
Shortly, we may have a list of access numbers you could use when you call from some international destinations - Please call our customer services for more details. Different charges may apply for using this service from abroad.
Do I need to have a BT line?
No, all you need is access to any phone service - we have access numbers for all providers, fixed line customers can use our 0800 numbers and 0207 numbers with your account number or PIN.
You need a BT line with an outgoing call facility to dial 18500 / 18747 access numbers.
Do I need to have my own phone line?
No all you need is access to a phone service. We will provide you with an access number and PIN number to access the service from almost any phone.
Will I get an itemised bill or a monthly bill?
You will be able to VIEW your call history online within minutes after making the call or processing any top-up.
Is there a minimum fee or connection charge?
No there are no hidden charges you simply pay for the calls that you are connected to through our services.
Do you charge for all calls that are made?
No, we only charge for all calls that are connected after entering the destination number. Connected calls may include calls reaching to voicemails and operator prompts in some cases.
Will I be charged for the call once I dial the destination number?
Usually, before each call is connected the minutes prompt will inform you of the call charges per minute for the destination you are calling except if dialling the 18500 / 18747 access number.
The played minutes message prevails over any publicised rate on the LYCATALK website, printed publication or other means of advertising with the effective dates respectively.
This minutes message itself is free of charge, therefore if you do not agree with the played minutes message charges, immediately hang up before your call is connected and you will not be charged for the call.
In what increments do you charge your calls?
We charge all connected calls in 1 minute increments.
Will I be billed for dialling the access number?
You will not be charged by LYCATALK for dialling the access numbers, but may be charged by the phone/mobile operator depending on your tariff plan.
Please note: You need a BT line with an outgoing call facility to dial 18500 / 18747 access numbers.
BT does not charge the customer for 18747 access numbers, please check this with your provider first.
Will I be billed for dialling the customer service number?
No. You would not be charged by LYCATALK, please check with your phone/mobile operator for charges to call the customer services numbers. Usually 0800 numbers are not charged by fixed line providers.
What is the minimum top up?
The minimum top up for the service is:£5
Do I pay any line rental?
You only pay line rental to your phone (landline/mobile) service provider.
Are your costs inclusive of VAT?
Yes, all our costs are inclusive of VAT.
What are your international destination rates?
Please refer to our current tariff structure available on the 'Our Low Rates' Section of the web site or call customer services on.
How many users can use a pin at a time?
Only one user can use the pin at a time. If someone is using a pin and at the same time the same pin is entered by some other person the user will get an engaged tone.
My top-up has failed. How I will get my money back if top up fails?
The Top up amount should be transferred back into your account in 3 working days. In case if you face further difficulties, please contact customer services or e-mail us at cs@lycatalk.co.uk
When I will get my friend referral call credit?
Any referral call credit will become payable to the referrer's account after a period of at least 5 working days following the total £30 top-up of the referred account. Referral should complete a top up of £30 within a period of 3 months from the date of registration & has to use a minimum of £5. The referral bonus will only be payable where the referred account is from a different postal address, is purchased using a different method of payment and reflecting different call records. The award of the credit will be at the sole reasonable discretion of Lycatalk that the above conditions have been met. Fraudulent claims of referral credits may result in account suspension of both accounts.
What do you mean by PROPER after the country name?
PROPER means any other landline destination for the respective country name unless otherwise specified.
I was not connected but was charged for the call.
Sometimes your call reaches voicemail of the called destination number or is answered by the destination operator but the operator at the other end does not transmit the voice message to us. However you can call our customer services or e-mail us at cs@lycatalk.com if you have been charged wrongly and claim refund within 24 hours of making the call. We will investigate the issue and may refund calls where appropriate.
Contact Us
Please feel free to contact one of our LYCATALK customer services representatives if you have any query on
* Terms and conditions apply - LYCATALK Terms & Conditions