How to call USA cheaper from Asia?
Mar 6th, 2007, 06:27 AM
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How to call USA cheaper from Asia?
Hello - I need to find a cheaper way to call the USA from China, South Korea, Japan and India. I currently use an AT&T card and the charges are ridiculous. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, krisbern
Mar 6th, 2007, 07:57 AM
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(Bob means to buy them at a convenience store in China, SK, etc., of course)
I am assuming from your question that you don't have a cellphone with SIM card that will work on the Asian phone systems, but if you do, and will be away long enough to make it pay, consider getting your phone unlocked (not the hassle it used to be here in the US), and buying SIM cards where you are travelling. The rates we got in Thailand were under 50 cents per minute to the US, and within Thailand about 5 cents per minute, if I recall correctly...and there were English instructions on how to use them!
Worldwide, I use AccuGlobe as a backup. Not the cheapest, but available practically everywhere -- you call a toll-free number in the country you are, and then enter your PIN and the number you want to call in the US. Their rates are on their website.
But Accuglobe will be more expensive than the local phone card....
I am assuming from your question that you don't have a cellphone with SIM card that will work on the Asian phone systems, but if you do, and will be away long enough to make it pay, consider getting your phone unlocked (not the hassle it used to be here in the US), and buying SIM cards where you are travelling. The rates we got in Thailand were under 50 cents per minute to the US, and within Thailand about 5 cents per minute, if I recall correctly...and there were English instructions on how to use them!
Worldwide, I use AccuGlobe as a backup. Not the cheapest, but available practically everywhere -- you call a toll-free number in the country you are, and then enter your PIN and the number you want to call in the US. Their rates are on their website.
But Accuglobe will be more expensive than the local phone card....
Mar 6th, 2007, 08:04 AM
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If you have a computer and an internet connection, try using Skype (http://www.skype.com)
They're a pay-as-you-go voice-over-internet-based service and you simply use the speakers and microphone on your computer (or buy an external headset) and voila! you have the cheapest mobile phone on the face of the planet!
Their rates simply can't be beat...saved us A LOT of money in Thailand calling back to the US.
Rates fom from ANYWHERE to the US are $.02/minute.
Realize not everyone has a computer handy so it might not work for you, but, if so, it's really a great way to go!
Best of luck!
They're a pay-as-you-go voice-over-internet-based service and you simply use the speakers and microphone on your computer (or buy an external headset) and voila! you have the cheapest mobile phone on the face of the planet!
Their rates simply can't be beat...saved us A LOT of money in Thailand calling back to the US.
Rates fom from ANYWHERE to the US are $.02/minute.
Realize not everyone has a computer handy so it might not work for you, but, if so, it's really a great way to go!
Best of luck!
Mar 6th, 2007, 11:55 AM
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Check out onesuite.com which sells online prepaid phone minutes for US domestic calls or international calls from US at low rates. The same phone card can be used to call back US when you are in certain countries by accessing a local number. I notice China (only southern China), South Korea, Japan ,India and other countries are served by onesuite.com
Mar 29th, 2007, 04:05 AM
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Hi Krisbern,
I just got back from Cambodia and found it easy to walk into an internet place and make a call home by computer, for about $1 for a 10 minute call. You have to put up with about a 6 second delay in conversation, but hey, it's a call and you hear a human voice. Internet cafes were all over Phnom Penh and I did see some in SR. Don't bother with a card or buying a cellphone unless you plan to spend a lot of time on the phone.
A friend of mine bought a cell phone in PP and walked 10 feet away from his tuk-tuk, realized he had left it on the tuk-tuk and his driver took off with it. With skype all you have to do is walk into the cafe and talk.
Cheers!
Suz
I just got back from Cambodia and found it easy to walk into an internet place and make a call home by computer, for about $1 for a 10 minute call. You have to put up with about a 6 second delay in conversation, but hey, it's a call and you hear a human voice. Internet cafes were all over Phnom Penh and I did see some in SR. Don't bother with a card or buying a cellphone unless you plan to spend a lot of time on the phone.
A friend of mine bought a cell phone in PP and walked 10 feet away from his tuk-tuk, realized he had left it on the tuk-tuk and his driver took off with it. With skype all you have to do is walk into the cafe and talk.
Cheers!
Suz
Mar 29th, 2007, 04:16 AM
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As everything is negotiable, we purchase "100 yuan" phone cards at magazine stands in Shanghai for 30 RMB each. (Of course more than once I saw tourists pay 100 for one.) I tend to buy access code 17910. I can talk to the midwest US for 41 min/card. Let's say that's 30rmb/7.5 rmb per USD = $4/card. $4/41 minutes = $0.098/min without additional charges from a landline. I haven't tried it with my mobile so maybe it's not possible. Thus my local phone card is much less expensive than OneSuite which, per the website, charges 0.279/min and adds a $0.55 access fee if using a payphone. It didn't specify mobile or landline origin or destination. Skype is still a better deal at $0.02 if you have your laptop. A number of Shanghai bars and restaurants advertize free WIFI access. Malones, Big Bamboo, Arugula,...
We bought a Chinese sim card for our extra mobile phone which gives free inbound calls and SMSs but you're charged for outbound calls. Seems we had a charge for the card and then had to pay to add minutes. You can get a card to cover a particular city or a broader part of China. You'd just add more minutes by going to a convenience store.
We bought a Chinese sim card for our extra mobile phone which gives free inbound calls and SMSs but you're charged for outbound calls. Seems we had a charge for the card and then had to pay to add minutes. You can get a card to cover a particular city or a broader part of China. You'd just add more minutes by going to a convenience store.
Jun 25th, 2007, 02:57 AM
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Yes you can use Onesuite from your hotel room. You dial the access number (Local access if theres one or a Toll free number) then your PIN and the destination number.
Onesuite just lowered their rates at 8 cents per minute using local access and with improve call quality due to tie up in major carrier in India I will surely make calls more than ever.
Onesuite just lowered their rates at 8 cents per minute using local access and with improve call quality due to tie up in major carrier in India I will surely make calls more than ever.
Jun 25th, 2007, 07:07 AM
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Nothing beats skype. I bought a headset to bring to India but rarely needed it as most places are now set up for skype. Some places will charge you more per hour if you use skype but it is still the cheapest by far.
Jun 27th, 2007, 02:01 PM
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there is a site www.firstphonecard.com that sells discount international phone cards for China. I can vouch for the service, as I've used them for about 4 years until Skype came onto the scene. (decent call quality, never any random charges on my credit card, etc.) But now, I use Skype pretty much exclusively.
Jun 27th, 2007, 09:41 PM
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I compared Skype rates to India 12.5 cents and Onesuite rates to India 8.5 cents.
I wonder how anyone can say nobody beats Skype? Also Skype is using VOIP technology which we all know has some downtime everynow and then. How about when you don't have your computer with you or you got no internet connection at the moment? Can you still use Skype?
In Onesuite you don't have to be connected to the internet, you can use your landline or cellphone or any other touch tone phone for that matter. I think Onesuite is one of the cheapest phone card out there with tons of features like online records access, pinless dialing, online phonebook, etc.
Onesuite has a promo right now until June 30, 2007 and giving an extra 30 minutes for calling India, at 8 cents per minute thats like $2.40 extra for a minimum of $10 signing up amount which you can use for making calls other countries too!
The promo code that you need to put in is OSINDIAPROMO at the sign up page to get the extra $2.40.
Regards!
I wonder how anyone can say nobody beats Skype? Also Skype is using VOIP technology which we all know has some downtime everynow and then. How about when you don't have your computer with you or you got no internet connection at the moment? Can you still use Skype?
In Onesuite you don't have to be connected to the internet, you can use your landline or cellphone or any other touch tone phone for that matter. I think Onesuite is one of the cheapest phone card out there with tons of features like online records access, pinless dialing, online phonebook, etc.
Onesuite has a promo right now until June 30, 2007 and giving an extra 30 minutes for calling India, at 8 cents per minute thats like $2.40 extra for a minimum of $10 signing up amount which you can use for making calls other countries too!
The promo code that you need to put in is OSINDIAPROMO at the sign up page to get the extra $2.40.
Regards!
Jun 29th, 2007, 01:34 PM
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For China, the calling cards work well. They also have calling stations where you can call incredibly cheap but the calling card is much more convenient as you can call from your room.
For Japan, you can just call from your room without a calling card. It is unbelievable but their rates are incredibly reasonable. We called the US a few times and never had a bill more than about 80 cents, US. We talked for no longer than 10 minutes but it was still very reasonable. Kyoto was cheaper than Tokyo but we stayed at a nicer hotel in Tokyo, so who knows?
For Japan, you can just call from your room without a calling card. It is unbelievable but their rates are incredibly reasonable. We called the US a few times and never had a bill more than about 80 cents, US. We talked for no longer than 10 minutes but it was still very reasonable. Kyoto was cheaper than Tokyo but we stayed at a nicer hotel in Tokyo, so who knows?
Jul 6th, 2007, 11:57 AM
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t-mobile just came out with a new product where you can make free calls to any US number from an international location if you have wifi. Also any calls you make within the US (domestic or international) are free in the presence of wifi. We plan on switching to these phones sometime this year.
Feb 25th, 2009, 10:29 PM
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baaj wrote:
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"Skype charges by where you are calling FROM, not where you are calling to. So krishnax's logic for picing in flawed.
Strange how krishnax's only comment on the forums is pushing a VoiP service..."
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Since when Skype rates are based on calling FROM? Please check Skype page and learn how to read. It clearly stated there that the rates is for Destination numbers. I wonder you didn't know this since you say you are a Skype user yourself.
Look for yourself -> http://skype.com/intl/en/prices/callrates/#allRatesTab
Now whats strange about pushing for a voip service especially is the topic is about calling USA cheap from China? It so happened that Onesuite has good rates to India and I use them so whats wrong with that? I don't find it strange you posting this Skype experience so...
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Skype charges by where you are calling FROM, not where you are calling to. So krishnax's logic for picing in flawed.
Strange how krishnax's only comment on the forums is pushing a VoiP service..."
-------------------------------------------------------------
Since when Skype rates are based on calling FROM? Please check Skype page and learn how to read. It clearly stated there that the rates is for Destination numbers. I wonder you didn't know this since you say you are a Skype user yourself.
Look for yourself -> http://skype.com/intl/en/prices/callrates/#allRatesTab
Now whats strange about pushing for a voip service especially is the topic is about calling USA cheap from China? It so happened that Onesuite has good rates to India and I use them so whats wrong with that? I don't find it strange you posting this Skype experience so...
Nov 11th, 2010, 09:13 PM
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I am in China and I usually buy 17900 phone card to call US and Canada ( around $8 for 333 min ). Check this site: www.86callchina.com.
