7 Top Tips to Slash Phone Costs when Abroad

Mobile networks charge incredible rates for making international calls from abroad. So whether you travel regularly or just take a yearly vacation, these valuable tips can help save you money on your calls:

1. Prepare Yourself

Determine what you need to say before making your call. Sometimes it could be simpler and cheaper to type a quick text than making a short phone call. At other times, it may be better to make a call than send multiple texts to get across what you are trying to communicate. If you do need to make an extended call, use a local phone or purchase a calling card to save you money.

2. Divert

The minute you leave the country, make sure that you divert all your incoming calls to voicemail. Remember that you don't need to answer a call for your mobile network to start charging you. The moment the call connects to a foreign network, you will start accruing charges. Only check your messages if you really need to and rather wait until you return home. Every call to your voicemail will be charged at the same rate as making an international call.

If you need to receive calls while abroad, turn off you voicemail diverts. You will then be able to see each call come through to your phone and choose whether you would like to accept the call or not. Although you will receive roaming charges for each call that you don't answer, it can be less expensive than retrieving your voicemail and then returning a call.

3. Bundles

Frequent travellers may benefit from purchasing an international roaming bundle from their mobile network provider. Bundles can provide a saving from 10% to 90% on international calls. The saving is largely dependent on your network and where in the world you are travelling to. It is important to note that bundles can be expensive and do expire. So if you are not planning to make many calls within the expiry period, this may not be a viable option.

4. Pay-As-You-Go

Purchasing a Pay-As-You-Go sim card in a country that you visit on a regular basis can save you on international as well as local calls. One of the greatest savings when using this option is that you will probably not be charged to receive calls, but only for the calls you make.

However, you need to be aware that you will have a new number to go with the new sim. You may also need to unlock your mobile device to use a foreign sim card. Your network may charge you for this service or you can go online to find a way to unlock the phone free of charge.

Local call rates will apply for the service provider that you choose. It is best to opt for a provider who has the lowest international calling rates if you will be making plenty of calls to other countries. Look for providers that offer a service over many countries or that provide a cheap roaming service in locations where they are providers.

5. Making A Call

Due to the multiple providers offering cheap ways to communicate internationally, landline calls abroad have become more affordable. However, international mobile call rates can still be prohibitive. To save money on making and international mobile call, try the following:

- Mobile network providers all have cheap packages that you can select as an add-on to your existing contract. While this will add an extra charge to your monthly bill, it may save you money in the long run. Evaluate the cost of the service in relation to the value that it will provide before taking this option. Also evaluate the amount of data or call time that you may require and select a relevant package. Selecting a package that provides more than you need will only cost you more. You can find the cheapest rates and networks that provide the best value bundles by visiting different consumer review sites or find an online comparison.

- Regular travellers may benefit from choosing specialist operators who only offer cheap international tariffs. For example, Lebara and Lycamobile have packages aimed at immigrants and people who need to make a large amount of international calls. However, it is best to check the packages on offer from your existing network provider. Due to the competitive nature of the cheap phone call industry, many traditional operators are now offering their own cheap call packages to keep their clients at a lower rate than their normal roaming packages.

- Call routing is a great way to save money on your outgoing mobile phone calls while using your current mobile network provider. There are a number of different online routing providers that offer different rates to use their services. The provider simply routes the call through a local number meaning that you pay a local instead of international rate for the call. Alternatively, use a telephone discount service provider to re-route your international calls. However, you need to be aware that both of these options may not always cost you less depending on your location and the country that you are calling. You will need to evaluate and compare the different rates to ensure that you are actually making a saving. These options will also allow you to make use of any free minutes that you may have available on your current mobile contract. You will need a credit or debit card to pay for the routing service.

All these services may be beneficial for regular travellers but will probably not provide any advantage to people who do not need to make regular international calls.

6. Skype Calls

Skype offers free international calls through their portals. All you need is to download the app or program on your relevant android mobile device, IPhone, laptop or computer. Be aware that the person you want to call will also need to have Skype. Another benefit of using Skype is that you have access to both video and voice calls. You can make single calls for free or subscribe to have unlimited calling power. You, as well as the person that you are calling, will need internet access or mobile data in order to make and receive Skype calls.

7. Other Apps

There are a wide range of apps available for all types of mobile devices that allow you to send and receive calls and texts at lower rates or free of charge. This is great option for saving money on international communication although these apps can also benefit you when you are calling or texting locally.
You can download these apps for free on to your mobile device. The message or call recipient will need to download the same app you are using and both devices will need internet access. Currently, the most popular app is WhatsApp with millions of smart phone users making calls, sending texts, images and video globally.