If you have explored the often confusing world of international calling rates, you know that conventional long distance is expensive compared to almost any of the alternatives. This is especially true if you factor in the extra fees and taxes charged by governments.
Conventional phone companies rely on people being either un info rmed or unmotivated to check out the alternatives. They often bundle long distance with local services so you are never quite sure how much your long distance service is costing. Many VoIP Service providers are starting to use the same tactic in order to confuse consumers.
For instance, many consumers sign up for local phone service plans that include unlimited long distance and pay from $20 to $70 per month or more. Most do not know or realize that they could get the same level of service for much less money by staying with a $5-$10/month basic service package while using a hybrid phone card or dial around plan to make low cost domestic or international long distance calls. The following is a short discussion of these options.
Prepaid Phone Cards - a low cost solution with limitations
One alternative to conventional long distance service is to purchase a prepaid phone card. These are typically purchased online using Pay Pal or a major credit card. Phone cards offer dirt cheap rates on calls to most locations and they also offer the ultimate in flexibility and features that would surprise most consumers. In many cases, high quality phone cards offer the highest call quality at the lowest possible price.
A phone card allows a consumer to place long distance calls by calling a toll free or local access number and then dialing the number you want to call. They are very good for people who want to make low cost international calls with a cell phone. Most high quality phone cards feature PIN-less dialing so they no longer require the caller to enter an account number or PIN code when placing a call. The access numbers can be speed dialed using most phones so, in most cases, placing an international call with a phone card is just as easy as making a direct dial call.
Some of the other features and shortcomings of high quality prepaid phone cards are listed below:
Most feature PIN-less dialing (mentioned above).
They offer ultimate flexibility because calls can be made from nearly any phone.
Many offer auto-recharge so a call will not be cut-off due to lack of funds.
Call quality can be poor. This is especially true with phone cards advertising very low per minute rates.
Many phone cards now feature on-line call history so users can view the cost and other details for each call.
Charges can be higher than expected because of hidden fees and taxes. Many high quality phone cards have very low or no added fees or taxes.
Charges can be higher than expected due to different rounding intervals. Larger rounding intervals generally mean higher cost.
Dial Around Plans - a better alternative for many consumers
In some cases a better alternative is what is referred to as a prepaid dial around plan. They are called "dial around plans" because a caller uses a local or toll free phone number to bypass or "dial around" the conventional phone company. In other words, they work pretty much the same as a phone card.
Here are some of the features you can get with a quality dial around plan
With good plans you only pay for minutes used. There are typically no fees, taxes, or hidden charges.
Most have no monthly minimum charge or account fee.
Very low long distance rates, including low domestic rates to the USA and Canada .
Most feature PIN-less dialing when calling from registered phone numbers. A user can typically register as many as 10 phone numbers with one account.
Connection quality is comparable to conventional long distance.
Some plans (higher quality ones) provide free online account management including real time call history. This lets the user see the details of every call -- the number called, time and date of the call, duration, and cost.
Most offer auto-recharge so calls will not be cut-off due to lack of funds.
Dial around plans can be used at home, with a cell phone, or while traveling in the USA and Canada . Some can now be used in several international locations.
Many feature speed dial so long international numbers can dialed using a two number code.
One company now offers free software that can be downloaded onto a smart cell phone so international numbers can be dialed directly. Dialing an access number first is no longer required if this feature is used.
Summary – What is the Best Option?
The line between prepaid dial around plans and high quality phone cards has nearly disappeared over the past two years. There are now several high quality phone cards that offer features that were once only offered by prepaid dial around plans. It was generally thought that prepaid dial around was a better option for semi-permanent use while phone cards were better for travelers or other temporary use. However, even this distinction has become questionable as better products have been offered by many phone card companies. Now they are generally the same product so a consumer should use the one that best fits their needs.
Visit International Calling Guidefor more information on these or other products for making low cost international calls.
Bob Graham is the owner/editor of several telecommunication related websites inlcuding International Calling Guide and Cheap Overseas Calls. He is an engineer with several years experience in the telecom industry. He is also the author of several telecom related articles published on websites and the International Calling blog.
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