Quick Summary
Prior to internet calling, making international calls to the United States from Asia (or anywhere abroad) was both frustrating and expensive. Times have changed; thankfully, the days of braving call centers with noisy connections are long gone. It’s easier than ever for travelers to keep in touch with loved ones back home, particularly when traveling with a smartphone.
How to Call the United States While Traveling
If you need to dial a landline, your choices are limited to internet-calling services. Skype remains a popular choice; however, some travelers argue that Microsoft’s acquisition of the company in 2011 did not benefit it.
If your loved ones at home also install Skype on their smartphones, you can begin calling each other for free. The people you wish to call must also sign up for a free Skype account and be online simultaneously. Therefore, you may want to schedule your next call if someone will be using a headset and computer to talk.
To call regular landline numbers (including toll-free numbers), you’ll need to deposit credit into your account and pay Skype’s very reasonable calling rates (around 2 cents per minute). If you’ll be spending a lot of time calling home, you can also subscribe to low-cost monthly plans for unlimited minutes.
Skype functions similarly to other instant messaging platforms. You can add friends, update your status, and see when your contacts are online. When they are available, you may either chat or connect for a voice call using your smartphone.
If the person you’re calling does not have Skype installed on their smartphone, you can also make calls to their computer. Using a good headset (instead of relying on the built-in microphone) significantly enhances call quality. If the connection is strong enough, you also have the option for video calling to liven things up.
Tip: Be cautious when using Skype on public computers as it’s easy to forget to log off. The program can continue running in the Windows system tray. Additionally, keylogging software installed on computers in internet cafes can capture passwords.
Using Skype to Call Landlines
To call regular landline numbers with Skype, you must first fund your account with a minimum credit. In the United States, you’ll need to deposit US $10 via credit card or PayPal.
Making international calls to the United States on Skype costs about 2 cents per minute, but be aware of a small connection fee. You’ll be charged each time you try a number, even if it was busy or went to voicemail.
The cost of each call deducts from your initial $10 credit, which tends to last quite a while. When your credit runs out, Skype will automatically top up your account via the supplied credit card or PayPal unless you disable the auto-deposit feature in your profile settings.
Tip: When struggling with unreliable Wi-Fi connections, especially in remote parts of Asia, you’ll incur the connection fee each time you reconnect. These fees can quickly deplete your credit throughout a frustrating call that disconnects repeatedly!
Skype also offers various subscription services, allowing subscribers to pay a flat monthly rate and make unlimited international calls to a specific country. This is the best option if you anticipate calling the same country frequently within the month.
Important: Although calling the United States from Asia is inexpensive with VoIP (voice over IP) services, the calling rates for Skype vary from country to country. Always check the rates on the Skype website before calling mobile phones.
Using Smartphone Apps to Call Home
For travelers who take their smartphones to Asia, several messaging apps allow you to make free calls over Wi-Fi and data connections. Applications like WhatsApp, Line, and Viber offer great options for making calls. WhatsApp, owned by Facebook, stands out as the most popular choice.
Provided you have a decent Wi-Fi connection, you can make international calls to friends and family in the United States just like you would at home.
Note: Be aware that all messaging apps have their own privacy policies; most users rarely read them closely. Most of these apps collect data about your interests and activities, often using this data to customize ads or sell to third parties.
WhatsApp is particularly user-friendly for calling other WhatsApp users; however, it cannot be used to call landlines or computers. It may be convenient to ask loved ones to install WhatsApp on their smartphones as each user must have a real phone number.
While you are limited to calling only from smartphone to smartphone, the connection is often clearer and faster than other options. Video and group calls are also available.
Warning: If you incur international roaming costs for data on your smartphone, even WhatsApp calls could become expensive. Thus, it is advisable to wait until you have a Wi-Fi connection to call.
Using International Calling Cards in Asia
A slightly more expensive and outdated option for calling home is to purchase international calling cards. These cards come in various denominations, and each company has its own fees and guidelines. Note that most cards use “credits” to mask actual spending per call, often accompanied by steep connection fees for calling from payphones.
The instructions for using international calling cards at payphones in Asia may not always be intuitive. If you have never used a particular calling card before, be sure to ask how to use it before purchasing one.
Only consider using calling cards (and payphones) as a last resort in remote areas. There are usually far better options available.
Unlocking Your Smartphone to Make International Calls
Although potentially costly, calling home directly from Asia on your mobile phone without using an app or data connection is possible. First, ensure you have a GSM-enabled phone. Most mobile phones in the United States will not work in Asia by default. AT&T and T-Mobile are the two best choices for smartphones that will work internationally. They also offer free international data roaming and SMS texting for customers.
Next, you’ll need to have your smartphone unlocked to accept foreign SIM cards. Your carrier’s tech support may do this for free (if your phone is paid off), or you can pay for unlocking services in phone shops throughout Asia. This will allow you to buy a SIM card that gives you a local phone number and possibly 3G/4G data for the country you are visiting.
By adding prepaid credit to “top up” your phone, you can make calls from Asia back to the United States. Rates vary based on the country and carrier, but expect to spend more for voice calls that do not utilize an internet connection.
Use Your Phone Wisely
No matter how you choose to call the United States while traveling, avoid making the common mistake of spending a significant portion of your trip time staring at your phone.
With the accessibility of smartphones, there can be a temptation to use calls and social media to mitigate loneliness and culture shock. Staying in touch with loved ones is undoubtedly important; however, maintaining a constant connection with home may hinder your ability to fully experience the magic of your destination.
