In today’s high-tech world, there are multiple options available for making cheap long distance call. Some options are cheaper than others, but sound quality and convenience vary greatly between the choices. Getting a perfect balance of quality, convenience, and rates is no easier than a decade ago when only a few choices were available. What’s the best choice for you?
The first and obvious option, but not necessarily the best one, is long-distance plan provided by your local telephone company. These companies enjoy being the first and default choice, especially among infrequent callers. This allows them keeping their rates higher than competition. Call quality is usually top notch, and it’s hard to beat the convenience of the default long distance operator. With consumers having access to latest VoIP technologies, a wide range of calling cards (i.e. www.calling-card-international.com), and a bunch of alternative telephone service providers, even traditional telecom providers are starting to make their international call rates reasonable. That said, there are still options that can be much cheaper than even the best offering from your local telco.
Alternative long-distance operators compete by offering generally lower international long distance rates than your local provider. Sound quality varies greatly between operators, and so do the prices. Long distance calling with an alternative operator is just as easy as using your local telco, so no points given or taken for the convenience score. However, many alternative long-distance providers require credit checks, cash deposits, monthly maintenance and other hidden fees often camouflaged as government-regulated fees and taxes or even called as such (e.g. the infamous "government regulatory recovery fee" charged by one of the Canadian providers). In fact, these fees have nothing to do with the government, and are pocketed by the companies. Caveat emptor.
Lower tire alternative providers offer what’s supposed to be a perfect - but cheaper - substitute to a land line via the VoIP service. Typically, they would give or install a set top box connecting to your broadband Internet cable on one side and to your home phone on the other. These companies typically offer cheaper global call rates with pretty much the same dialing convenience as POTN carriers, but unsurprisingly, this comes with a price tag attached. First, you have to pay for a really fast, low-latency broadband Internet connection. If you download something big, or if someone’s watching a Netflix movie on a TV, sound quality will drop significantly, sometimes up to the point of not being able to speak at all.
The same caveat goes for VoIP long-distance providers that offer cheap PC-to-PC or PC-to-phone calls. There are many tools available from Skype to general SIP-compatible phones. While their international call rates may be very attractive, you’ll lose in convenience (no wireless handsets - you’ll sit in front of your PC), sound quality and mobility. While their rates may be cheap, they are simply not cheap enough to warrant the inconvenience.
This leaves us the other long distance calling option. The option that’s been available for decades. Prepaid calling cards offer a well-balanced combination of convenience and quality with generally low international call rates.
There are hundreds if not thousands of calling cards available, and not all of them are created equal. Some phone cards are sold to visitors and tourists by the big telephone companies. Those generally offer artificially high rates, and come with all sorts of strings attached. Their balance will usually expire soon after the first call is placed. This type of calling cards is only beneficial to the phone companies and not to the consumer.
There are other cards coming with all types of charges such as connection fees, maintenance fees and balance expiration periods. With the exception of connection fees which may be actually one of the ways to save if you typically spend an hour or so on the phone, calling cards with all other fees should generally be avoided.
How do you choose a perfect calling card? There are so many things beyond the rates! Look for cards that have no connection fees (or, if you usually speak for longer than an hour, compare the rates between connection fee and no connection fee cards with a calculator), no maintenance fees and no other periodic charges. Be aware of balance expiration and other hidden fees that may appear in the fine print only. Or you can simply check out Calling Card International website. Dozens of phone calling cards compared with all hidden fees revealed. Visit www.calling-card-international.com to find a perfect phone card for your calling style.