Four Ways to Make Cheap Long Distance Phone Calls
There are several ways to make cheap calls. Choosing the most suitable way depends on the particular situation, it changes depending on whether you are at home or traveling. Let us discuss all the possibilities, so you can choose the one that’s right for your situation.
1. VoIP (Voice over IP) is currently the most popular and cheapest form of long distance and international phone calls. With VoIP technology, phone calls are not made from a regular phone but from a computer. There are many VoIP clients for computers, the most popular being Skype. There is no need to write about Skype here, most of us know and use it. But there are, in fact, many more VoIP programs. One may ask, why do I need another program? After all, I have no problem using Skype and I am quite satisfied with it. But is that Skype calls are not always so cheap. Calls to some countries, and especially to mobile numbers, can be quite expensive. If you call those numbers, you can search for alternative programs. You can try VoipRaider and CallEasy. Their rates for mobile numbers are substantially lower than Skype’s, plus calls to landlines in many countries are completely free.
But what if you don’t have a PC or are traveling far from home, what to do then? For that case, there are other cheap ways: you can use callback or calling cards or you can even make Skype calls from your mobile phone.
2. The callback system works as follows. When you register in the system, you are given a special access number. To make a call, you have to dial the access number and hang up after the first ring. In a few seconds the system will call you back (that’s why it’s called Callback). He then picks up the phone and dials his destination number. This way you don’t make a call, the call comes to you. That is why your operator does not charge you for the call. Payment is made to the callback provider according to their low rates. Your number registered in the Callback system can be changed at any time. So, even if you go to another country, you can register any landline number in that country and use Callback there (for example, a hotel number can be registered; the system allows registering numbers with extensions, that’s why you can call it even in your hotel room). There are many callback companies. Among the most popular are Telcan and Globaltel. Telcan rates are somewhat lower but Globaltel provides better sound quality. You can compare the rates for your address and choose for yourself.
3. Calling cards are very popular in some countries (eg in the US), so if you already know about calling cards, you don’t need to read this part. If you haven’t heard of calling cards yet, you should check if they are available in your country (or the country you are heading to). Unlike calling cards, calling cards can be used with any phone, not just payphones. As in the case of Callback, one has to dial an access number (but in this case the access number is free). Then, without hanging up, the destination number is dialed. As the access number is free, the call is not charged directly, the payment will be deducted from the credit of the card. Before buying a calling card, it is best to check the Internet for available calling card providers and their rates, so that one can choose a provider with the lowest rates for the desired calling direction. Many providers offer virtual calling cards, which are just an access number and pin purchased online. That can save you time because there’s no need to hunt for cards at retail stores.
4. Making VoIP calls from mobile phones. The only downside to VoIP software is that you need a computer to make calls. However, VoIP calls can now also be made from mobile phones. The most popular VoIP provider, Skype, has a program for smartphones, however, it only works on very few models. However, there are some clients created especially to bridge this gap, eg fring, Talkonaut, IM+ Mobile Messenger. Those programs work on many different models of mobile phones, they can connect to Skype servers, so that one can make Skype calls from a mobile phone. Sound quality may differ for different models. It’s best for Symbian OS phones (most Nokia and Sony Ericsson models), however, even on Windows Mobile phones it’s good enough. Even if the sound quality is not perfect, one has the advantage of being able to make cheap calls anytime, anywhere. That is why such programs are definitely worth trying.
