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International
Phone Calls
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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