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How to save money when making calls abroad
| With email and social media rapidly becoming our chief means of communication, we have become used to keeping in touch with people both at home and abroad by means of the written word. However, it seems that nothing can replace a good old-fashioned conversation, which is why so many of us still choose to pick up the phone and hear the voices of loved-ones on the other end of the line. But all too often, the cost of calling abroad can be prohibitive. Here are some useful suggestions on how to keep down the amount you spend on your overseas calls. Phone cards Phone cards can potentially be a great way to cut down on the cost of calling abroad. Unfortunately, many cards seem to offer a great rate, but have hidden costs that emerge later on. The minimum rate quoted may not always be the one you get, so it is always important to check your credit balance and make sure that you aren't being charged more than you expected to be. Timing If you'd rather not worry about keying in access codes and collecting phone cards, then a bit of smart scheduling might help to control your costs. Making international calls from a landline at peak times is a definite no-no. Peak times vary with network, but a good rule of thumb is that calls between 7am to 6pm are likely to cost a lot more than calls made outside this time. Just be sure to have your time-zones well figured out to avoid interrupting anyone during a peaceful night's sleep! Write it down Although it's hard to beat the convenience and intimacy of verbal conversation, sometimes an email or Facebook message will do just as well. These are especially useful for getting across information that needs to be remembered, such as bank details or addresses. The only drawback here is that security is a vital concern, so be careful when sending sensitive details over the Internet, and make sure your email service is a reliable and secure one. VoIP Another option for making cheap long distance calls is VoIP, or Internet telephony. A VoIP adapter makes it possible to make calls to mobiles, landlines and computers abroad from a normal landline, but using a broadband connection instead of the traditional telephone line. This means that the costs of talking to people overseas can be slashed by making the Internet connection you already have work harder, providing you a means of communicating by voice as well as in writing. VoIP is offered by a range of network providers, some of whom feature package deals and unlimited minutes to countries ranging from India to Hong Kong. And with domestic calls also available on VoIP, Internet telephony might just be the answer to the perennial problem of expensive calls, both at home and abroad. |
About the Author
Costas Kariolis - Senior Director Online - Vonage UK & Canada. Vonage are leading VoIP (Voice over IP) providers for home & small business users. Using VoIP users can make cheap calls to India landlines and mobiles via an internet phone service for a set monthly fee.
For interviews, quotes, images or comments contact:
Costas Kariolis
Senior Director Online, UK & Canada
E-mail: theteam@vonage.com
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