How To
10 Cheap Ways to Make International Calls From a Cell Phone
Communication is crucial in maintaining positive relationships with your family. It used to be that, when making international calls, callers would be faced with the burden of paying expensive fees or having surcharges to their bill.
Cheap international calls allow you to stay in touch and check in on your family more often. Nowadays, it’s possible to stay connected with your family without having to pay a premium. Smartphones have greatly changed the way people communicate, allowing users to be able to instantly send a message or make a call to their friends and family anywhere in the world.
For instance, you can make cheap international calls—sometimes even free calls—using your smartphone thanks to apps and platforms like FaceTime, Messenger, Skype, and WhatsApp.
Aside from apps, there are other ways to make cheap international calls. Here’s a list of ways to help you cut down on costs without compromising quality call time with your family back home.
Use VoIP Apps
What’s the cheapest way to call international phone numbers?
Using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) apps is definitely one of the best ways to cut down on costs for international calls. VoIP places your phone calls over the internet, instead of using a traditional public switched telephone network, which is an expensive system. Using a VoIP app is similar to using a landline to make calls, where you need to include the other party’s international dialing prefix, country code, area code, and local code.
Some of the most popular VoIP providers and apps include:
● RingCentral
● BOSS Revolution
● Grasshopper
● Google Voice
● FaceTime
● Skype
● Telegram
● LINE
● Vonage
● Viber
Pros
● High-quality calls
● Easy to use and convenient
● A more affordable alternative to phone lines
Cons
● Needs a stable internet connection
● You may experience issues like packet loss and jitter due to network congestion
Use Calling Cards
Calling cards, also known as phone cards or international calling cards, are a convenient and cost-effective option for students, travelers, and overseas workers, especially for those who don’t yet have access to long-distance service. They’re prepaid cards that have a certain amount of call credits on them. Calling cards come in two types: disposable and rechargeable. With the former, once you’ve used up all the credits, you can then dispose of the card. The latter allows you to top-up and add more value to your card, thus giving you more call minutes.
Note that costs per minute can vary depending on the country you’re calling. For example, if you’re using calling cards to call your family in India, you can enjoy a pay-as-you-go rate of 1.5₵ and if you’re calling your family in El Salvador, rates may start from 9.3₵ depending on the provider.
Pros
● Affordable
● Easy to use
● Doesn’t require an internet connection
Cons
● May have hidden fees
● Cards often have expiration dates
● Can sometimes be difficult to use
Use Local Access Numbers
Local access numbers are a VoIP feature that lets you make cheap international calls. These are specific numbers meant to be used from the area you’ll be calling from, essentially making it a local call and, thus, don’t entail additional fees.
Because of this, local access numbers are a welcome alternative for frequent travelers and students or workers overseas. The great thing about local access numbers is that they can work for both incoming and outgoing calls. This means that your family back home can use your local access number to get in touch with you without having to worry about exorbitant fees.
Note that you’ll still need to confirm with your local carrier whether or not an access number is considered local.
Pros
● Cost-effective
● Good call quality
● Doesn’t require an internet connection
Cons
● Can be challenging to use
● Has limited availability
Tips for Making Cheap International Calls from Your Smartphone
Aside from the above mentioned examples of how you can reduce costs for international calls, here are more ways you can make cheap international calls without breaking the bank.
Compare Rates
Don’t be afraid to shop around. Rates can vary greatly from one provider to another, so it’s best to check multiple providers and see which ones offer cheap international calling rates. Additionally, you can consider subscribing to these providers’ newsletters so you get the latest updates on offers or discounts. Lastly, price comparison websites are a great resource if you’re looking to get an overview of multiple providers.
Use Wi-Fi, NOT Data
The great thing about using Wi-Fi for international calls is that you won’t have to pay extra like you would when you purchase data to make calls. Also, depending on your phone plan, Wi-Fi can be the more affordable alternative to data.
When using Wi-Fi for international calls, make sure that you have a strong internet connection so that you can enjoy clear video and/or audio. You may also want to check your calling apps to ensure that they support Wi-Fi calling. Lastly, don’t forget to switch to airplane mode to avoid incurring roaming or data usage fees.
Consider Time of Day
Yes, when you call can influence costs, which is why it’s best to check peak hours for different countries. If you can, try to make calls during off-peak hours. That’s because wireless networks usually have less demand and thus, service providers can offer lower rates for incoming and outgoing calls. If possible, schedule your calls in advance.
Wrapping Up
Staying in touch with your family back home doesn’t need to be an expensive undertaking. There are many ways to make cheap international calls, such as using VoIP apps, comparing provider rates, and using Wi-Fi instead of data. If you’re tied to a phone plan and are thinking of making international calls often, another thing you may want to consider is signing up for an international calling plan that’s tailored to the country you’ll be calling the most.
By taking the time to do some research, you can find the cheapest way to call internationally from a cell phone that works best for you and your loved ones.
