For most people the idea of making long-distance calls (even in 2024) makes people nervous, the idea of paying hundreds of dollars per month to speak to family and friends is a tough thing to swallow.
Thankfully, we now have access to plenty of different options to help us reduce or even completely remove those phone bills being charged by large telco companies.
In this article, I’ll cover a few of the most popular solutions that people are using to connect with family and friends while side-stepping the outrageous charges from their main telephone providers.
Contents
Skype
Source: smartlife.mondo.rsSkype is one of the most well-known digital calling apps and is available on desktop and mobile.
Skype has a phone feature that allows its users to call both domestic and overseas using their Skype accounts. The rates for these international calls are quite competitive but will obviously depend on where you are calling, it will always be cheaper to call countries with a well-developed telecommunications infrastructure (United States, Canada, Japan, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc.) but these countries will often times be free with most mobile calling plans anyway.
Skype offers two options:
- Pay as you go
- Subscription
“The downside to Skype for me (and is why I had to switch) was due to the lagginess of both voice and video in combination with frozen screens, etc. which made using this app quite frustrating at times – international call cards suffer from a lot less issues simply because they use copper lines.” JT, phonecardchoice.com
Which service did I switch over to?
I now use international calling cards, Facebook messenger and Yabb.
International Calling Cards
Source: wikihow.comInternational calling cards are what I use 90% of the time simply because it allows me to make calls to anyone on the planet using my mobile phone.
With so many options available you can always find the best calling rates for wherever you wish to call to.
The operation of international calling cards is simple as well:
Step 1: Call your local access number
Step 2: Enter your PIN number
Step 3: Call the international number
The bonus here is that you can easily program each of these steps into your mobile phone so all you need to do is tap on the name of the person you wish to call and your phone will automatically work its way through each of the steps.
In terms of pricing, it’s as cheap as any of the other options available, sometimes cheaper depending on where you are calling to.
The reason why I choose international calling cards over calling apps is that it uses traditional copper phone lines to make the calls – you don’t need an internet connection at all, simply call the person up using your mobile or landline.
Why are copper lines important?
In short, accessibility.
Most countries have underdeveloped and unreliable internet which can make calling people a frustrating experience when using wifi-based calling apps.
On the other hand, every country still uses copper phone lines which means regardless of where the person is located in the world chances are you are going to be able to reach them.
A few of the most common questions my friends ask are:
Source: ricksteves.com
Can I use an international call with my cell phone?
Yes, they are designed to be used with phones both landlines and mobiles.
Where is the best place to buy a calling card?
I always recommend using a specialist retailer that only sells calling cards simply because they are trained up on their products so can not only answer all of your questions but will also help you become aware of things that you had not already considered.
The problem with general retailers who sell international phone cards as well as a thousand other products is that they know about as much as you do, you will often find that the both of you will be reading the back of the phone card together to learn how it works.
How much do calling cards cost?
They’re typically less than a few cents to call the well-developed countries but it’s the lesser developed countries where you gain the most benefit and cost savings.
Source: arpacanada.ca
How long does a prepaid phone card last?
If you get a rechargeable phone card then it can last for a few years as long as you are recharging frequently.
Voice Over IP Landline Service
In addition to Skype and Facetime, landline phones also provide VoIP service. VoIP, or Voice over IP, is a technology that allows users to make phone calls via the web as opposed to conventional landlines. To connect classic analogue phones to a digital VoIP network, you may purchase a VoIP phone or utilise an analogue telephone adaptor from services like Vonage. With these options, you may make unlimited international calls for under $40 per month, tax and charge included.
International SIM Cards
If you are travelling abroad then getting off global roaming is essential, the costs are massive sometimes you will be charged every day even if you are not making calls.
International SIM cards are something I’ve used in the past and are great to use in combination with international calling cards.
The big benefit to using this as an option is that you can use your existing mobile phone and contacts making it friendly to use when calling friends inside that country but when combined with a phone card you can now make super-cheap calls back home!
Source: businessinsider.com
Yabb Messenger
Yabb Messenger is one of those under-the-radar apps that I use to make video calls as well as chat with friends online it’s an all-in-one type of app that borrows features from all of the most popular apps like the social sharing like Facebook timeline, self-destructing messages like Snapchat, and photo sharing and commenting like Instagram, etc.
But they also have an international calling feature that is paid that allows it’s users to travel overseas and make cheap international calls.
The calling rates are comparable to international calling cards which makes it a great tool to use.
