Technology not only makes the world smaller; it makes it cheaper too. Making international calls from your landline or your mobile is still still expensive. For frequent callers here are a few cheaper options.
These are pre-paid cards that allow the user to make international calls even from an STD- or ISD-barred landline or mobile phone for lower rates. The user needs to buy the card, which has a hidden pin number, follow instructions printed on the card and then the ones on the voice mail.
The calls are charged to a separate account. Higher the card denomination, more is the talktime and lower the rates (see Talking Value). For example, a call to the US would cost Rs 1.75-1.99 a minute through a calling card, and as much as Rs 6.40 per minute on the mobile phone.
Internet telephony
If you have an Internet connection, you can download a messenger service and speak to anyone connected by Net. Of course, there are the Internet usage charges. This uses a technology called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and is essentially a PC to PC calling solution.
However, service providers have schemes where you can make calls from your PC to landline or mobile at nominal rates. For this you need to download the software and pay your bills via credit card. You would also need a computer with adequate system requirements and a good (preferably broadband) Internet connection.
Skype
The leader in this space has many dedicated users. "It's been a great help in connecting to friends and colleagues abroad," says Saptarshi Roy Chaudhury, a search engine optimisation consultant who uses Skype almost everyday to call professional contacts abroad.
"The higher your Internet speed, the better is the call quality. If you are on a slow connection, the time lag between words will be high and the calls might drop as well," he adds. Skype allows users to make unlimited (10,000 minutes) calls to 34 countries worldwide at euro 10.29 (Rs 657)/month. (For details see www.skype.com.)
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