International Calling Plans and VoIP Services

Posted by Rachel Dsouza on March 25th, 2022

How many times have you had the following conversation? How much does it cost to call internationally? The answer is, It depends on what phone number you are calling from and who you are calling. The reason this answer is so difficult to explain is because of the three major factors that determine your phone bill: 1) The international calling plan you choose; 2) The type of VoIP provider you use; and 3) The VoIP service plan within that provider that you sign up for.

What Are the Best Phone Plans?
The first step to choosing a phone plan is determining your exact calling needs. How many people do you need to call? What kind of flexibility do you need? Do you have international calling needs? Are there any special features that are worth paying for? Once you know how much talking you’ll be doing, it’s easier to decide which option will work best for your specific needs. In terms of price to talk, there is no free lunch; if you are considering a bundle of features and end up choosing to buy more than one line, you will be charged for each additional feature you add to your service. VoIP phone plans can seem complicated at first glance but really boil down to three key factors: cost per minute (or month), number of lines available on each package, and additional benefits like international calling capabilities or caller ID services.

Here\'s What You Need to Know Before Purchasing a Landline Phone
If you currently have a landline phone service, or are considering signing up for one, here’s what you need to know about international calling plans and VoIP services. Both can save you money, but which one is best for your situation? First off, let’s go over some of their similarities. For starters, if you want to purchase either a landline phone or VoIP service that allows you to call internationally , then neither are your best bet. International calls made with traditional telephones (landlines) are much more expensive than making international calls using VoIP services.

A Convenient Way To Stay Connected
International calling plans are provided through your local phone company. These types of service include unlimited international calling, but they also come with a hefty price tag. When looking at international calling plans, be sure to find out if long distance calls are included in your package. As you may know, long distance charges can get very expensive very quickly if you do not have a plan that includes it. This is an important point because international rates vary greatly depending on where you are calling. So, when pricing out international packages, don’t just compare costs between services; make sure to look at how much per minute each will cost.

Other Considerations When Choosing The Right Phone Plan For Your Home
The only way to find a perfect plan is by determining your needs. For example, if you need international calling features that will make it easier for you to stay in touch with family members or business associates, then you should search through international calling plans offered by various providers. On the other hand, if you never talk to anyone outside of your local area code, then why bother looking at features that have been designed to save money on calls?

Make Sure The Terms Are Clear
If you’re considering a bundle of features and end up choosing to buy more than one line, you will be charged for each additional feature you add to your service. In addition, if you choose a bundle that includes international calling plans, don’t forget that some countries are considered international destinations while others are not. Furthermore, not all long-distance calling plans allow unlimited calling to international locations. If you plan on using Skype for international calls often, know that it does not work with every VoIP provider; make sure you understand whether or not your chosen provider supports Skype before signing any contracts.

Understanding Prices And Billing Methods
The cost of a VoIP service can be a difficult thing to understand. When you sign up for such services, you need to understand that international calls are going to cost extra. If you don’t, you may face some unpleasant surprises when your bill arrives. Make sure that if you want to take advantage of international calling plans from your provider, that you know what it will add to your monthly fees. You should also check with other providers to compare costs. If a plan is unlimited, make sure there aren’t hidden charges or limitations; often times unlimited plans mean that if you go over 2 hours per month of international calls, then they charge an additional fee per minute (typically 5 cents). It is always best to have one line as your main calling line and then have another as backup in case your main line fails.

How Much Does It Cost?
There are several factors that affect international calling plans, including how often you call internationally, how many calls you make in a month, what kind of plan you purchase, and where your calls originate. If you make daily business calls to clients overseas or are an international traveler who makes frequent calls while abroad, you’ll probably want to opt for a monthly unlimited international calling plan. But if you rarely use your phone outside of domestic borders, it might be more affordable to choose a pay-as-you-go international calling card that comes with no contract and allows you to buy as much credit as needed when you need it—that way there is no commitment or cost after your last international call (except for unused credit). Of course, if you know you’re going to use your cell phone abroad (for emailing family members at home) then an unlimited U.S.

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Rachel Dsouza

About the Author

Rachel Dsouza
Joined: July 30th, 2020
Articles Posted: 1