Prior to internet calling, making international calls to the US from Asia was both frustrating and expensive. Gone are the days of braving call centers with ancient circuits and noisy connections to try and keep in touch with loved ones.
Now, a handful of voice-over-IP or VOIP services make calling home from Asia easy and either cheap or free.
- First, read about computer security in internet cafes. Protect yourself!
How to Call the US from Asia with the Internet
First, sign up for an internet calling service. Skype (http://www.skype.com) is very popular with travelers; LocalPhone.com is slightly cheaper for making international calls to phone numbers; both services are free to join.
If your loved ones at home don't mind using a headset on a computer, you can begin calling home right away for free. The people that you wish to call must also sign up for a free Skype account and be online.
Skype works the same way as other instant messaging platforms; you can add friends by searching for their email addresses. Skype shows when your friends are online -- you may either chat or connect for a voice call using your headset. You even have the option of using your webcam to share video as you talk.
- Read more about using Skype to make international calls.
Using the Internet to Call Landlines and Mobiles
To call regular phone numbers, you must first fund your account with a minimum credit of US $10. Making international calls to the US on Skype costs only two cents per minute after a four-cent connection fee. Calling with LocalPhone.com is only 0.5 cents per minute with no connection fee. The cost is deducted from your initial $10 credit, which tends to last a surprisingly long time. When you credit runs out, you can add funds with a credit card.
Skype also offers a variety of subscription services where you can pay a flat monthly rate and make unlimited international calls to the country of your choice i.e., the US.
Important: While calling the US from Asia is cheap, the calling rates for Skype vary from country to country -- particularly when calling mobile phones. Check the rate on the Skype website before calling those new European friends' mobile phones.
- Compare prices for international calls with LocalPhone.com
Mobile Apps
For travelers who take their smartphones, Skype and LocalPhone.com both make apps for iPhones and Android-based smartphones. Assuming that you have a decent Wi-Fi connection, you can make international calls to the US on the familiar comfort of your handset.
Using International Calling Cards in Asia
A slightly more expensive option for calling home is to purchase international calling cards. These cards come in a multitude of denominations; each company has their own set of fees and rules. Be aware that most of the cards use “credits” to mask how much you are actually spending per call. Also, a steep connection fee for calling from pay phones is usually added to each call.
The instructions for using international calling cards at pay phones in Asia are not always obvious. If you have never used a particular calling card before, ask how to use it at purchase.
Using Your Mobile Phone to Make International Calls
While expensive, calling home from Asia on your mobile phone is possible. First, you must have a GSM-enabled phone. By default, most mobile phones in the US will not work in Asia. If your current phone is not GSM, you may either purchase a cheap GSM phone once you arrive in Asia, or rent one at home before you start traveling.
Next, you must get your phone “unlocked.” Some carriers will unlock your phone from the network for free, while others charge for the service. Once in Asia, you can purchase SIM cards which go inside of your phone -- usually behind the battery -- that provide you with a local phone number. You fund the account by purchasing “top up” cards, enter the code on your phone, then you may make local and international calls.
Using your mobile to call home from Asia can be inherently confusing and expensive. VOIP is more often than not a much better option for travelers who want to make international calls to the US.
- Read more about using GSM cell phones.
