Call home without breaking
your budget
Start with $1.99. Call 30 minutes to any country. Your parents answer their regular phone — no app to install, no account to create. Just a clear call home.
Download Telvio FreeStaying in touch eats into your living budget
International calling costs don't scale with a student income. The options available are designed for corporate travelers, not students.
$30–60/month
International SIM plan
A full monthly plan is more than a week of groceries. Most students can't justify it.
Or don't update it
Parents don't have WhatsApp
App-to-app calling only works when both sides have the same app installed and working. Grandma usually doesn't.
Hidden fees + expire
Calling cards
The advertised rate is never the real rate. Connection fees, maintenance fees, short-duration rounding — it all adds up.
Designed to fit a student's reality
Start for $1.99
The Starter pack gives you 30 minutes to any country. That's enough to see if Telvio works for your needs before spending more.
Parents don't need any app
Call their regular mobile or landline number. They just pick up. No setup, no instructions to explain.
Works on campus WiFi
Most university networks support VoIP calls. Connect to the dorm WiFi and call without using any mobile data.
No monthly bills
Buy minutes when you need them. Nothing auto-renews. No subscription to cancel at the end of the semester.
London to Seoul. $3/month.
Studying in London. Mom is in Seoul. You call every other day for 5 minutes. That's about 75 minutes per month.
South Korea rate: $0.02/min landline. 75 minutes = $1.50. Get the Standard pack and it lasts two months. Less than the cost of one coffee per week.
Monthly call cost comparison
Telvio (Standard pack)
75 min to Korea
~$3/mo
International phone plan
With unused minutes
~$45/mo
Roaming calls
75 min × $1/min avg
~$75/mo
Popular study-abroad destinations
Rates to call home from wherever you're studying. Per-minute, no connection fees.
| Country | Landline | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | $0.02/min | $0.02/min |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | $0.02/min | $0.08/min |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | $0.02/min | $0.06/min |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $0.06/min | $0.14/min |
| 🇨🇳 China | $0.02/min | $0.02/min |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $0.02/min | $0.12/min |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | $0.02/min | $0.02/min |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | $0.02/min | $0.08/min |
Sample rates. Full country list available in the app. Rates subject to change.
See all country ratesQuestions from students
What is the cheapest option for a student on a tight budget?
The Starter pack at $1.99 gives you 30 minutes. That's enough for about 10 five-minute calls, or a handful of longer ones. If you call home 2-3 times a week, the Standard pack (120 min for $4.99) works out to less than $1.25/week.
Does Telvio work on university or dorm WiFi?
Yes, in most cases. University networks that block VoIP traffic are uncommon, but they exist. If Telvio doesn't connect on your campus network, try using mobile data (4G/5G) instead — it works just as well.
Do my parents need to download Telvio to receive my calls?
No. Your parents answer their regular phone — mobile or landline — just as they always have. They don't need any app, account, or setup.
How do I add more minutes when I run out?
Open the Telvio app, go to the balance section, and purchase a new pack through the App Store or Google Play. New minutes are added to your existing balance immediately.
Can I use Telvio with just a student data plan?
Yes. Telvio works over WiFi or mobile data. A standard 4G connection handles calls without any issues. Data usage is low — roughly 1 MB per minute of call.
Is there a free trial or test before I buy?
Yes. Every new install includes one free minute to any country. Use it to call home and check the quality before deciding on a package.
Start with one free minute
Download Telvio free. Test the call quality with your included first minute, then pick a pack that fits your budget.
Download Telvio