Let’s say you’re in a remote romantic relationship. While it may sound absurd to some people, why wouldn’t such relationships exist in a world that’s going online more and more? Therefore, you need to call that special crush of yours who has remotely stolen your heart.
Calling someone overseas isn’t so expensive nowadays, even though it may be intimidating at first. Anybody can do it with just a bit of documentation about technological processes, so let’s cut to the chase:
Internet-based calling apps
Perhaps the most efficient way to call someone abroad is by opting for internet-based calling apps, and there are plenty of options here to consider. You could choose the most widespread video calling and instant messaging app that most people have installed on their smartphones: WhatsApp. If, for some reason, you are not a fan of WhatsApp (you probably don’t appreciate Meta/Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg, for instance), there are other similar video-calling apps out there to try: Facebook Messenger, Microsoft Teams, Webex, Zoom, and more. You can even use such apps to call someone only by voice, not including the camera as well.
Google Voice
Google Voice is also a great service that offers affordable rates for international calling, with prices that vary depending on the destination country. For such purposes, you can use the Google Voice service as an app or by directly accessing its website. It’s also worth keeping in mind that you can use Google Voice from pretty much any device that can connect to the internet.
Local SIM cards
When you travel abroad, you can buy yourself a local SIM card, as it can significantly reduce the cost of making calls to both local and international numbers. A lot of countries out there offer affordable prepaid SIM cards with competitive rates when it comes to international calls.
VoIP services
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services also represent a great choice for those willing to call their friends, spouse, relatives, or even enemies abroad. Platforms such as WhatsApp, Skype, and Viber can allow you to make voice and video calls over the internet at very low cost or even free. As long as both parties have the app installed and are connected to a stable internet network, calls can be performed to virtually any location on the planet.
Mobile apps with international calling plans
Some mobile carriers out there have international calling plans to offer or add-ons that provide discounted rates for calling overseas. Such plans may even include a set number of minutes or even unlimited calling in the case of specific countries for a flat monthly fee.
Call back services:
Call-back services work by giving users the chance to initiate a call from their mobile phone and then receive a callback at a cheaper rate. This method can turn out to be particularly cost-effective in the case of international calls, as it bypasses expensive roaming charges.
International calling cards
Let’s also not forget about international calling cards, as there are more ways to call someone abroad nowadays at a lower cost than you probably think! Prepaid international calling cards represent a convenient option for those who want to make cheap calls abroad from mobile phones or even landlines. You can purchase such cards online or at local retailers.
Which one of these methods would you prefer for calling someone abroad and why? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section!
Tim M. Hill helped bring Digital-Overload from a weekly newsletter to a full-fledged news site by creating a new website and branding. He continues to assist in keeping the site responsive and well organized for the readers. As a writer to Digital-Overload, Tim mainly covers mobile news and gadgets.
