Phoning Qatar from the UK

from uk to Qatar then .. i think normal fone ... maybe try and get a fonecard by which they use but dont think it goes below 30p/per minute maybe even cheaper with normal fone operator?

from Qatar to UK - wen u use skype u can hve a few choices either call pc2pc which is free or call pc to phone. So with skype u can call from ur pc to a normal number (which to call uk is about 1p a minute) and you can do that by sitting on your pc or u can get a bluetooth device just like bluetooth for a mobile phone as long as u r within 30feet of your computer or you can get a skype phone which is practically the same as a cordless fone. http://dualphone.net... ... so none of you have to be in front of a computer.

As for rates from Qtel which is your other traditional option ...

http://www.qtel.com.... - 2.5qr peak / 2 off-epeak

You can use calling cards, many of the £5 card's throw in 50% of the value of the card so you get £7.50 worth of calls, so about 75 minutes for a fiver, Just check and make sure they list Qatar on their destinations - the middle east cards will only give you 50mins for a fiver, the line is quite good.

Kaiser

Thanks everyone. So I can use my PC to call a landline using SkyPE?
I didn't realise that, I thought it was only PC to PC. So an ideal solution would be for me to have SkyPE on my PC and use it to call my parents, and get my mum a card so she can call Qatar without paying BT's exorbitant rates. This is great news! I was thinking we wouldn't be able to afford to speak often. I now have to puzzle how to do technical thing with Skype...or rather get my husband to look at it!
L

Ah yes! Looked it up. Thanks so much. I have travelled a lot but usually long stays have been in Europe (cheap calls!) and traditional companies here are exorbitant. This is so clever! Thanks very much Dweller, and everyone else, I assume it's easy to get broadband in Doha so once we're settled this Skype thing will be fabulous.