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Calling Home from UNCP

 

CANADA
Your best plan is to go to your home phone provider in Canada (Sprint, Bell, Primus) and get a calling card from them to use around the world. This is a permanent phone card and doesn't run out - whoever pays the phone bill at home (probably your parents) will get a bill every month. Bell and Primus have the exact same rate when you call from the U.S. to Canada, and it is cheaper than buying phone cards in the U.S. (at WalMart or the UNCP bookstore, for example).

 

If you have a cell phone with a Canadian phone number, check to see if you can make phone calls from the U.S. and if your company will charge you for roaming. If not, that is another option too.

 

ALL OTHER COUNTRIES
Obviously, stable countries are cheaper to call. If you look at international rates, the Middle East (Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait) is very expensive right now.

 

According to www.baseops.net, "In order to make sure you are getting a fair deal, you should always ask the following questions:

o What is the per-minute rate for calls within the U.S.?
o What is the per-minute rate for calls to my international destination?
o Are the rates the same 24 hours a day?
o Is there a higher rate for the first minute than subsequent minutes?
o Will I be charged for calls that are not completed?
o Are there any connection fees or surcharges?
o Are there any monthly/weekly maintenance fees?
o Is there a connection fee for international calls? If so, how much?
o Can I place more than one call without redialing the PIN?
o Will I be notified when one minute is remaining?
o Can I reach a customer service operator 24 hours a day?
o When does the card expire?"

This is good advice. Don't drop $20 or more on a phone card that may turn out to be a dud.

 

Calling cards can be purchased over the Internet (and mailed) or the card number and access code can be emailed to you. Check out www.baseops.net, www.callingcards.com, www.ttsprepaid.com, www.bigzoo.com, or just type in "calling cards" in any search engine.

 

There is another option for free talking by calling from computer to computer over the Internet. To learn more about free calling and paid options for connections to land lines and cell phones, see: www.skype.com.

 

Most calling cards have connection fees, taxes, payphone surcharges, expiration dates, round-up billing (round up to the nearest minute, nearest five minutes, etc.) or hidden "maintenance fees," so you never really get that great deal that is being advertised. Cards with low per-minute rates have higher connection fees and vice-versa. Most have a surcharge after the first use and again every month or so thereafter. Most also expire within 3-6 months after the first use.

 

Disclaimer:
UNCP doesn't endorse a particular brand of phone card or phone plan. It is your responsibility to make sure you arrive informed and prepared to call your home country if the need arises.

Updated: Wednesday, May 13, 2009

 

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