| When it's time to phone India and talk to family and | | | | the typical added charges, it's usually cheaper to go |
| friends, the rate you pay may determine just how | | | | with a discount plan than to accept the traditional |
| long you speak. Traditional phone line and mobile | | | | charges of the phone company. An international call |
| service providers are known for charging highly for | | | | placed on a cell phone can run even higher than a |
| international calls. Even those who offer cheap rates | | | | landline phone, especially if your plan doesn't cover |
| end up charging surcharges or other costs to make | | | | local long distance calls. |
| up for the low calling rate. | | | | Added Fees and Charges |
| In order to save on international calls and get the | | | | Figuring out the rates charged is easy. It's the extra |
| best rate you have to research and compare rates | | | | costs that can end up making you pay more than |
| and fees from different call providers. There are | | | | you originally thought you would. But not every |
| prepaid calling cards and services that remain | | | | discount program has excessive rates. Calling cards |
| competitive with each other in order to gain | | | | typically charge a service fee, and many of them |
| customers. While rates may seem the same across | | | | have expiration dates. So if you charge fifty pounds |
| the board, it's the hidden fees and charges that can | | | | to the card but don't use it by the expiration date, |
| make the difference. Before choosing a particular | | | | you will be out that money. It's best to choose a |
| company to handle your calling needs, make sure you | | | | program that doesn't expire and doesn't charge you |
| find out how they charge, what they charge, and | | | | to use the service. |
| how often they change their rates. | | | | Other costs to watch out for include whether the |
| Typical International Calling Rates | | | | rate is charged per minute or second and whether or |
| Rates vary based on the location of the outgoing call | | | | not the charges start as soon as the phone rings or |
| and the location of the incoming. If you phone India | | | | not until a connection is made. It may seem like only |
| from a typical phone service provider, you may pay | | | | a few cents, but not being charged if a connection |
| a few pounds per minute. This can make an | | | | isn't made can save you a lot of money annually. |
| international call quite costly, since talking for only a | | | | Most programs do have surcharges for making calls |
| few minutes can double your typical phone bill. | | | | from payphones or calling from outside your home |
| Discounted plans, such as calling cards and calling | | | | country, and these can range from a few cents to |
| services, may charge only a few pence per minute, | | | | over a dollar. By researching additional fees on calling |
| but that's not including any service charges or | | | | programs, you can save a bunch the next time you |
| monthly fees to use the discount program. Even with | | | | need to phone India. |