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The
easiest way to make calls overseas
is to simply pick up the phone
in your hotel room and give
the operator the number you
want to reach (assuming the
operator speaks English.) But
that route is usually the most
expensive because of surcharges.
There are several other alternatives.
Direct Access Numbers
You can access the big phone
companies (ATT, MCI and Sprint)
directly from most countries.
To place a call, just dial the
designated number for the country
you're in, enter the number
you wish to reach, and dial
your calling-card numbers. A
typical rate in Europe is about
$3 for the first minute and
then $1.75-$2 for each additional
minute.
You can save even more by signing
up for a special international
calling program with your regular
long distance company. By making
a monthly commitment to one
carrier, you can often get a
fixed low rate whether you are
calling to or from a foreign
country.
Callback Companies
These services provide U.S.
international long distance
rates in countries outside the
United States. The process may
sound a little bit confusing,
but it's relatively simple.
When you call a callback company,
you are assigned your own phone
number in the United States.
You then tell the service your
number overseas. When you move,
you call in your new foreign
number (your hotel, business
contact or wherever). You then
tell the service your number
overseas. When you move, you
call in your new foreign number
(your hotel, business contact
or wherever). To place a call
from abroad, either to the United
States or to another foreign
country, you call your assigned
number. After the first ring,
you hang up. The computer at
that number calls you back with
a dial tone so that you can
make further calls at American
rates. (This section needs to
be rewritten.)
Some callback companies:
Telegroup -- 800-338-0225
GlobalTel -- 888-595-5666
ITL Kallback --800.516.9992
Americom -- 800 820-6296
Calling Cards
Both local and long-distance
carriers issue cards that can
be used from any phone. In the
United States, you dial a local
access number or a toll-free
800-number, then punch in your
card number and the phone number
you're calling. Abroad, you
call a local access number (the
company gives you a directory),
which connects you with an English-speaking
operator who will connect the
call.
Rates tend to be substantially
higher than from your home phone.
Rates for calls into the United
States from abroad vary by country,
and often have surcharges. Some
foreign hotels, notably in Asia,
block access to calling card
numbers or charge several dollars
simply to reach them. While
blocking is prohibited in the
United States, but you may find
some hotels charge a fee to
connect, even if the number
is toll-free. ATN (who is ATN?)
offers its callers a list of
access numbers in the originating
country that are never blocked.
Some companies offering a stand-alone
calling cards:
AT&T -- 800-451-4341
MCI -- 800-444-1616
Sprint -- 800-877-4000
ATN -- 888-487-4732
ILD -- 800-888-8355
Premier Worldlink -- 800-609-2030
VoiceNet -- 800-274-0962 (no
calls from abroad to U.S.)
Prepaid Phone Cards
These cards are bought for face
value and inserted directly
into a pay phone with each use.
They may be convenient, but
they can carry excessive per-minute
charges. However, prepaid cards
can provide bargain rates internationally.
They're also convenient at pay
phones and relieve foreigners
of the need to fiddle with unfamiliar
coins. They're easy to purchase
in most countries where they'll
make sense to use.
Some American vendors of prepaid
cards:
AT&T Prepaid Card -- 800-225-5288
Global Telecommunications Solutions
World Card -- 800-995-9667
Sprint's Spree Card -- 800-366-0707
Western Union Cards -- 800-325-6000
Cellular Phones
There are cell phone plans that
give you the ability to make
calls from countries all over
the world. If you are in the
market for a cell phone, there
is a site called Point.com that
allows you to compare rates
in your area and find out about
other charges, such as activation
fees and the cost of the phone.
If you are looking for an overseas
rental, we would suggest that
you try International Mobile
Communications. This is a reputable
company and you can rental info
and country rates on their Web
site. |
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