Although the procedure can vary based on the countries and cities you are calling to, there are generally two ways you can place an International call. The first is by dialing direct. To dial direct, just use the following formula:

011 + Country Code + City Code + Telephone Number

For example, if you wished to call Berlin, Germany you would dial the following:

011 + 49 + 30 + the phone number of the person you are trying to reach.

Please note that the number of digits in the country codes and city codes can vary depending on the area. The second way you can place an International call is by using an operator. However, using this method is usually MUCH more expensive than dialing direct. To place a call using an operator, you would use the following formula:

01 + Country Code + City Code + Telephone Number.

You can find listings of Country and City Codes in most phone books or by doing an Internet search for International Calling Codes.

Saving Money on International Calling

International long distance rates vary greatly depending on the country you are calling and the way you make the call. Dial Around Services, International Calling Plans and Calling Cards often offer much lower rates than basic long distance providers do.

Dial Around Services

Most dial arounds begin with a code such as 10-10 followed by a three-digit access code. Some others are accessed by dialing an 800 number before dialing your final destination. Using a Dial Around Service allows you to “dial around” your regular long distance carrier and use another long distance carrier that offers cheaper International rates than your normal long distance provider – without affecting your regular long distance calls not dialed with the Dial Around Access Number. Before choosing a Dial Around Service, be sure to find out:

• Are there any monthly charges?
• What are the per minute rates?
• Are the rates affected by the time of day the call is placed?
• Are there any surcharges for each call placed?
• Are there extra charges for phone calls placed to cellular telephones?

International Calling Plans

An International calling plan is a monthly plan you get via your long distance carrier with previously quoted discount International calling rates and in most cases includes a monthly fee, usually between 3 and 8 dollars a month.

Also, some long distance companies who offer International Calling Plans also require you to use them for domestic (within the U.S.) long distance as well. Be sure that you compare the savings on the International rates to domestic rates which could be higher than what you currently pay for your domestic long distance. Before choosing an International Calling Plan, be sure to find out:

• Are there any monthly charges?
• What are the per minute rates?
• Are the rates affected by the time of day the call is placed?
• Are there extra charges for calls placed to cell phones?
• Are you required to use their service for domestic long distance as well? (If so, find out the rates and compare them to your current rates.)

Calling Cards

Calling Cards come in two forms – Pre Paid and Post Paid. With a Pre Paid calling card, you pay for your telephone usage prior to making your calls. They can be purchased in many different dollar and minute increments. You make calls by dialing a toll free access number and then entering a pin number prior to placing your call. A Post Paid calling card works the same as a Pre Paid card, with the difference being that you pay for the calls after you make them by being billed, usually monthly, by the Post Paid Calling Card Provider.

Calling cards generally offer discounted rates for International calling and can be used from any phone, which makes them a convenient choice for traveling. Before choosing a calling card, be sure to check for:

• Is there a surcharge for each call placed?
• Is there a monthly fee for each month there is use of the card?
• Does the card expire within a certain amount of time?
• What are the per minute rates?
• Are there extra charges for calls placed to cell phones?
• Are the rates affected by the time of day the call is placed?

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)

VoIP services basically turns your Internet connection into a phone line. Some services allow you to talk over the computer with a microphone and speakers. Others turn your Internet connection into a full fledge phone line that you can hook special VoIP phones into and talk just like you would on a normal phone. Services vary from very limited to an excellent replacement for local phone service.

VoIP plans usually offer substantially discounted long distance rates to International locations because utilizing an Internet connection is much cheaper than using a landline connection. Before choosing a VoIP provider, be sure to check for:

• Is there a surcharge for each call placed?
• Is there a monthly fee to be able to access the service?
• Are there extra charges if you are calling a cellular phone?
• What are the per minute rates?
• Are the rates affected by the time of day the call you place the call?

Tips for Saving on International Calling

Shop around when choosing a Dial Around, VoIP or Calling Card Provider. Be sure to check the “fine print” for the service.

Know your calling patterns. Figure out which countries you call the most and look for a service with the best rates to those specific areas.

Decide if you need to be able to take your service with you if you travel.

Be sure to review your bill closely and to call your provider periodically to see if rates have changed.

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International Calling Information

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International Calling Information

However, you are not doomed to pay more than you should on long distance for the next four years. There are several ways around the problem that can save you money and allow you to call home more often because of it.

Toll Free Numbers

A toll free number is also commonly referred to as an 800 number. If you call a specific number the most, you can set up a toll free number to ring to that line. You can get a toll free number with no monthly fee and rates as low as 4.5 cents per minute through PNG. You are not required to have regular long distance with them in order to get a Stand Alone Toll Free account. When checking out toll free service providers, there are a few questions you should ask so that you can make the most inexpensive decision based on your needs and calling patterns:

• Is there a monthly fee for having the toll free number?

• Is there a minimum amount of usage you need to meet each month?

• Can you choose what toll free number is assigned to you?

• Do you need and will your toll free number come with voicemail service?

• Should you choose to change providers; can you take your toll free number with you?

• What are per minute rates to place a call from within state and out of state to your toll free number?

• Do any special taxes or surcharges apply to calls or the service itself?

Calling Cards

Calling cards allow you to dial long distance from any phone and have the call be charged to your card. While many cards today are prepaid, you can also find post paid calling cards like the CogniCall Calling Card. CogniCall is 6.9 cents per minute to anywhere in USA-48 from USA-48 with no per call surcharges, no monthly minimums and no monthly fees. You are billed monthly for all calls with automatic credit card or check card billing.

Prepaid cards are another popular option. Many cards offer very low rates and allow you to make calls to any number at any time. Before you purchase a calling card – be it a prepaid or postpaid card – be sure to check out a few things:

• Are there any surcharges for each call you place?

• Are there any monthly fees involved in using the card?

• If the card is prepaid, will it expire after a certain amount of time?

• What are the per minute rates and billing increments?

• Does it matter what time of day you place a call or are the rates the same no matter when you place the call?

Cellular Phones

With so many cellular services offering free long distance minutes these days, it has become a popular choice among many college students as an alternative to using the dorm phones.

Make sure you look for a cellular phone plan with unlimited free nationwide long distance and that also has unlimited nights and weekends. Check around with other students in your dorm to find out which services work the best (we have heard from many students about services being available in their area, but not working well from within the college buildings).

Also remember to check and make sure that your cellular phone service will work not only at college, but also in your hometown for summer vacation and school breaks. Some things to ask yourself before making a decision:

• Does the plan have a contract and if so, what are the costs for early cancellation?

• Can you change plans without changing service providers at any time without incurring a penalty?

• If you don’t pass the credit check, what would the required deposit be or do they offer prepaid cell phone plans?

• What features are included? If not included, how much would any of your desired features cost in extra fees per month?

• Does the cell phone have unlimited nationwide long distance?

• Are there any charges for roaming?

• If you make International calls from your cell, ask for a rate for the countries you call most and see if they have a special International plan available.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)

VoIP services can save you quite a bit by allowing you to use your broadband connection to make phone calls. Be sure to check if your school has any rules about using the school connections for VoIP services. VoIP can usually save International students the most money of any option available when it comes to calling home.

Broadband services can be done through the computer using a microphone and speakers/headset or you can find providers like SunRocket who have cordless phones VoIP phones available. There are also lower quality, but free VoIP options out there such as Skype (though in fairness, Skype has an upgraded service that works as well as most others).

For more information about VoIP service, how it works and what your options are, as well as what to look for in a provider, check out our VoIP consumer information page.

International Students

If you think you’ll be making a lot of International calls, you make want to check out our page with information on making and saving money on International calls.

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Long Distance Savings for College Students

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Long Distance Savings for College Students

As with all purchases, read the fine print and make sure that the plan you choose is a “good fit.” Specifically, look at:

Calling Patterns
Consider the price for making calls at different times of the day. Do you make most of your calls during the day, night, or on weekends? What is your average volume? Do you call mostly within your state, outside your state, or to other countries?

Monthly Fees
When an ad promises 10 cents a minute, look for any monthly fees or surcharges you have to pay to get that rate.

Minimum Charges
Look for minimum charges for each call. If every call has a 50-cent minimum, even a two- minute call can cost you 50 cents. On “up to 20 minutes for a dollar” plans, a one-minute call or a message you leave on an answering machine is a dollar.

Climbing Rates
An ad may say that all calls up to 20 minutes cost a dollar. Look for information on what happens to the rate structure after 20 minutes. The rate may increase dramatically.

Shop as you would for any consumer product …

Ask your provider and other providers about any “sales” or promotions they might be running. Compare “apples to apples”. Check out phone company web sites.

Check for restrictions on the advertised rates …

Time Restrictions
Is the advertised rate available when you want it? Some rates apply only at certain times of the day or only on certain days of the week. What are the rates at the other times?

Geographic Restrictions
Is the advertised rate available on all long distance calls – those that you make to someone in another state as well as those that you make to someone in another city in your own state? Some plans do not include long distance calls in the same state. Factor those rates in when you make your decision. Learn the terms intra- and inter- state.

Promotional Restrictions
Are the advertised rates constant or an introductory offer that’s good for a limited time – such as, the first 60 days of your subscription? If so, what are the rates once the promotion is over?

Decode comparative claims …

Basic Rates
An ad promising “50 percent off the basic rate” isn’t always a good deal because the “basic” rate is another term for the highest rate available.

Comparable Services
Make a list of services offered by each company. Compare similar services when looking at the rates.

Look at your monthly bills carefully …

Pay attention to your bill, checking to make sure you are being charged exactly what you were told and expected. If you think there’s a mistake, or if you just don’t understand your bill, call your provider for an explanation.

Glossary of Important Terms

Calling Card
An alternative method for billing and collecting for telephone services. Use is very similar to “credit card” use, but may have additional “per call” charges to the per-minute rates.

Dial Around
Long distance services that urge consumers to dial a long-distance provider’s access code (or “10-10″ number) before dialing a long-distance number, to bypass or “dial around” the consumer’s chosen long-distance carrier and to get a better rate.

Inter-state
Calls made from one state to a different state.

Intra-lata
Commonly referred to as local toll calls. These are calls placed within your local region.

Intra-state
Calls from one location in a state to another location within the same state.

Prepaid Calling Card
A variation of the calling card where the money for services are rendered. Time/units/money are removed from the card as it is use. **there can be some hidden charges when using these – such as additional charges when using the card for a payphone call, and higher rates being charged for international calls.

Universal Service Fund (USF) Fee
The Universal Service Fund is generated through contributions from all telecommunications companies in the United States, including local and long distance phone companies, wireless and paging companies and payphone providers. This is assessed on all interstate and international calls. For more information on the USF fee, click here.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
VoIP uses your Internet connection to place and receive calls. Also referred to as broadband phone. Some VoIP services allow you to make calls through your computer using a microphone and headphone set (such as Skype) while others use special equipment to allow regular phones to utilize your Internet connection.

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How to Get a Great Long Distance Deal

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How to Get a Great Long Distance Deal