International long-distance calling gives us the ability to connect with friends and family who live in another country.
If you are looking to understand international calling rates in the US, you are at the right place.
Cost of international calls for US carriers in 2019
In this article, we will help you find out how much international calls cost, and also provide comparison to find the provider with the best value, in a few infographics.
To really understand the cost of overseas calling, we need consider multiple options. In this article, we will zoom in on the 3 biggest carriers in the US: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
1. Verizon international calling rates per minute
Verizon offers some of the cheapest international calling rates. International calls to Canada or Mexico will cost only about 49 cents per minute, which is quite a steal in comparison to the other carriers.
To see more full overseas calling rates in US using Verizon, see complete list below:
Verizon rates for Asia Pacific countries: Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, China, India, Russia - $2.49/min
Verizon rates for North America countries: Canada, Mexico - $0.49/min
Verizon rates for South America countries: Brazil, Argentina - $1.99/min
Verizon rates for Europe countries: France, Spain, UK, Sweden, Germany - $1.99/min
Verizon rates for less connected countries: Armenia, Bangladesh, Cuba, Maldives, Qatar - costs $2.49/min
See complete Verizon international calling rates at: https://www.verizon.com/solutions-and-services/international-long-distance-in-us/
2. AT&T International call charges (per minute)
AT&T, the second most popular carrier in the US also offers international calls. However, it little more expensive, with per minute rates costing close to twice of that of Verizon's.
To check how much a call cost will cost to your intended country with AT&T, see the full list of international calling costs below:
AT&T Rates for Asia Pacific countries: Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, China, India, Russia - $4.00/min
AT&T rates for North America countries: Canada, Mexico - $1.00/min
AT&T rates for South America countries: Brazil, Argentina - $3.00/min
AT&T rates for Europe countries: France, Spain, UK, Sweden, Germany - $3.00/min
AT&T rates for less connected countries: Armenia, Bangladesh, Cuba, Maldives, Qatar - costs $5.00/min
See complete AT&T international calling rates at: att.com/shop/wireless/international/long-distance.html
3. T-Mobile international calling charges
T-Mobile sits in between the two providers, offering lower international calling rates for Asia Pacific compared to AT&T, but have pretty much the same calling rates for other regions such as Europe and South America.
To see rates for all overseas countries with T-Mobile, see below:
T-Mobile rates for Asia Pacific countries: Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, China, India, Russia - $3.00/min
T-Mobile rates for North America countries: Canada, Mexico - $1.00/min
T-Mobile rates for South America countries: Brazil, Argentina - $3.00/min
T-Mobile rates for Europe countries: France, Spain, UK, Sweden, Germany - $3.00/min
T-Mobile rates for less connected countries: Armenia, Bangladesh, Cuba, Maldives, Qatar - costs $5.00/min
See complete T-Mobile international calling rates at: t-mobile.com/coverage/international-calling
Analysis: How much do international calls, cost on average?
The cost of international calls is on average $2.70 per minute, taking into account all carriers Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, based at prices for every overseas countries listed.
Result: Which carrier offers the cheapest international calling rates?
Verizon Mobile would be your best choice if you are looking to make international calls, as they offer the cheapest international calling rates between all 3 carriers.
Interesting Fact: Which are the most dialed countries?
Mexico is the US's most dialed international call destination, accounting for a whooping 7.7% of all global calls made in the world.
This is followed by India, which accounts for 3.2% of all international calls made in the world.
In 3rd place, there is Canada which takes up 2.1% of all international calls made in the world.
Alternatives: Are there other options for international calling?
International calling rates have not fallen in the recent years, despite the increase in immigration.
In fact it has increased sharply over the last few years, possibly taking advantage of the increased demand.
Thankfully, there are alternative options which are cheaper that we will share below.
Option 1: Skype international calling
Skype international call rates
Skype offers incredibly low international calling rates, for as low as $0.01 for UK, $0.01 for China, $0.08 for countries such as India. Skype international calling rates work out to be an average of $0.02 per minute.
See Skype international calling rates at: https://www.skype.com/en/international-calls/
Limitations with Skype
However, Skype has a downside where it requires users to purchase a Skype credit packs or start a subscription.
Also, Skype does not provide you with a your own international number for your family and contacts to call you back, and does not work with SMS.
Option 2: Google Voice international calling
Google Voice international rates
Google Voice also offers cheap international calling rates on mobile.
See Google Voice international calling rates at: https://voice.google.com/u/0/rates\
Limitations with Google Voice
Google Voice has a limitation where the service is only limited in the US and certain states, and does not work with sending SMS.
Check out our friendly guide to get a Google Voice number on your smartphone.z
Option 3: Phone number apps
Phone number apps have been increasingly popular for making international calls.
Phone number apps calling rates
Different phone number apps may defer on its calling rates.
Phoner - Second number app, (available on Android too) example, uses calling rates also as low as $0.01 per minute.
Phone number app benefits
Phoner for example, offers numbers in 30+ countries which you can pick and keep as your own private number. Plus, it also supports sending of overseas SMS.
Commentary: International calling an easy process
Thankfully, International calling is an easy process today. From your mobile phone, you can directly dial an international number and be connected with someone on the other side of the globe within a few rings.
Understanding how much do international calls cost among different providers and searching for the one that best meets your budget and level of usage is key to big savings.
If you find this article useful, share it with your friends that may also have the need for finding out international calling rates.
Who needs cheap international calling rates?
As immigration continues to grow, it reshapes our societies and affect where we move and live. As a result, more people find themselves in a position where they need to make international phone calls.
You may be a foreign student in a US college trying to call back home to talk to your loved ones, or a business owner who have multiple clients around the world (for example design artist duo wrote about their experience with clients in Milan and Paris)
Tips: Use an unlimited plan for international calling
If you are a frequent caller to Canada or Mexico, you could even hop on the unlimited international plans offered by all 3 carriers. For example, Verizon's new Unlimited Together plan for unlimited calls to Canada and Mexico for only $5 a month.