How to Get International Calling on Your Phone

Understanding International Calling Options

When you need to call another country, you have four common ways to place the call: through your mobile carrier’s international add-on, a VoIP app that uses Wi‑Fi or mobile data, a prepaid international SIM or calling card, or free video calling services that work over the internet. Each option affects cost, voice quality, and convenience.

How calls route and what that costs

• Carrier calling: Your carrier connects your call through regular phone networks. Carriers charge per minute or offer a monthly international plan. Rates vary by destination, ranging from a few cents to several dollars per minute.
• VoIP apps: Apps like Telvio, Skype, or other VoIP services use data rather than cellular minutes. They often offer low per-minute rates or free options between app users. Quality depends on your internet connection.
• Prepaid international SIMs and calling cards: These work well when traveling. You load credit and pay lower international rates than typical roaming—but you must manage separate credit and numbers.
• Free online video calling: If both parties can use internet video or voice apps, this avoids per-minute charges. See a comparison of free video platforms in our guide to free online video calling platforms.

Dialing basics you should know

• Use the plus sign (+) before the country code and number. Example: to call London from the US, dial +44 20 7123 4567.
• In the United States and Canada, you can also use the exit code 011 before the country code (011 + country code + number), but + works universally on smartphones.
• Check whether your plan blocks international dialing by default; many carriers require enabling an add-on.

VoIP vs carrier calls: practical tradeoffs

• Cost: VoIP usually wins on price, especially for long calls or certain countries. For example, Telvio offers rates as low as $0.02/min to the US and $0.08/min to India.
• Reliability: Carrier voice calls may be more reliable on weak data connections. VoIP quality depends on Wi‑Fi or mobile data quality.
• Convenience: Carrier plans require no extra apps. VoIP requires the app and, in some cases, purchasing credit. If you need to call real phone numbers (not just app users), choose a VoIP service that supports calling landlines and mobiles. Learn more about VoIP services in our guide to VoIP phone services explained.

Virtual numbers and receiving international calls

• If you want to receive calls from another country without expensive roaming, consider a virtual phone number in that country. Virtual numbers forward calls to your mobile or VoIP app for a flat fee or per-minute rate. See our guides to virtual phone numbers and free virtual phone numbers to compare options.

How to Add International Calling to Major Carriers

Every carrier manages international calling differently. Below are practical steps and what to expect for a range of popular providers. Exact menu labels can change, so treat these as reliable procedures you can adapt.

General steps to enable international calling

1. Sign in to your carrier account online or in the mobile app.
2. Look for “Plans,” “Add‑Ons,” “International,” or “Long Distance.”
3. Add the international calling package, pay‑as‑you‑go feature, or top up your account.
4. Confirm dialing format and any special exit codes, then test with a short call.
5. Contact customer support or visit a store if you cannot find the option.

T-Mobile (including Metro by T‑Mobile)

• How to get international calling on T‑Mobile / how to make international calls with T‑Mobile: Sign in to your T‑Mobile account or open the T‑Mobile app. Search for “International” or “Add‑Ons” and choose an international calling plan or per‑minute option. Many T‑Mobile postpaid plans include Wi‑Fi calling and SMS abroad; voice rates and add‑on names vary by plan. If you use Metro by T‑Mobile, follow the same steps in your Metro account or app.

Xfinity Mobile

• How to make international calls with Xfinity Mobile: Open Xfinity Mobile My Account online or in the Xfinity app. Under Plans or Add‑Ons, enable international calling or review pay‑per‑use rates. Xfinity Mobile supports Wi‑Fi calling, which can help reduce cellular charges when calling internationally. If you cannot find the setting, contact Xfinity support.

Boost Mobile

• How to make international calls with Boost Mobile: For prepaid Boost plans, buy international add‑on packs or top up credit. Use the Boost Mobile app or website to add international minutes. Boost also supports dialing international numbers directly; ensure your plan’s international service is active.

Lycamobile

• How to make international call from Lycamobile: Lycamobile focuses on international calling. Log in to your Lycamobile account or use the USSD menu on your phone to add international bundles or top up credit. Lycamobile operates on a prepaid credit model, so you buy credit and then dial +countrycode + number.

MTN (varies by country)

• How to make international calls on MTN: MTN operates across several African countries. In most cases, dial the international exit code (often 00), the country code, and the number, or use +. Enable international calling in your MTN account or at a shop if it’s blocked by default. Check MTN’s website for country‑specific international bundles and roaming options.

Freedom Mobile (Canada)

• How to call international with Freedom Mobile: Sign in to My Account on Freedom Mobile’s website or app. Look under Add‑Ons or International for international calling plans. Freedom offers monthly bundles and pay‑per‑use rates; activate the feature before you travel or place international calls.

Telkom (South Africa and other markets)

• How to make international calls with Telkom: Enable international dialing on your Telkom account if required. Dial using the + and country code or the local international prefix. Telkom provides international calling rates by destination—check the tariff tables in your account or on the Telkom site.

MetroPCS (Metro by T‑Mobile)

• How to make international calls with MetroPCS / Metro by T‑Mobile: Add international minutes in your Metro online account or app. Metro often provides international add‑ons and international texting packages. If you’re unsure, contact Metro support.

Fido (Canada)

• Fido how to call international / how to make international calls with Fido: Log in to My Account > Plans or Add‑Ons and enable international long-distance or select per-minute rates. Fido sells country‑specific rates and monthly packages; compare those before you buy.

Practical dialing example

• From a smartphone, dial + followed by country code and the phone number (omit any leading 0 in the local number). Example: calling Mexico City from the US: +52 55 1234 5678.
• Test with a one-minute call after enabling service to confirm audio and billing behavior.

Comparing International Plan Costs

Costs vary widely by carrier, plan, and destination. Below are typical price patterns and a few concrete examples to help you decide.

Common price patterns

• Carrier per-minute rates: For many carriers, international rates range from $0.10 to $3.00+ per minute depending on country and whether you call a landline or mobile.
• Monthly add‑ons: Carriers typically offer international add‑ons from $5–$30 per month that include reduced per-minute rates or bundled minutes to multiple countries.
• VoIP per-minute and pack pricing: VoIP services often use small credit packs and bill per-second. Example: Telvio sells Starter, Standard, and Pro credit packs ($1.99, $4.99, $9.99) and charges as little as $0.02/min to the US and $0.08/min to India. Telvio bills per second, has no connection fees, and credits never expire.

Example cost comparison (illustrative)

• 60‑minute call to India:
  • Carrier (typical range): $0.20–$1.50/min → $12–$90
  • Telvio: $0.08/min → $4.80
• 30‑minute call to the US:
  • Carrier (typical): $0.05–$0.50/min → $1.50–$15
  • Telvio: $0.02/min → $0.60

Why VoIP often costs less

• VoIP routes calls over data networks and avoids some traditional telephony termination fees. If you have reliable Wi‑Fi or a stable mobile data connection, you can cut costs significantly.

What to watch for in carrier pricing

• Connection fees: Some carriers and calling cards charge a flat connection fee per call. VoIP services like Telvio avoid connection fees and meter by the second.
• Billing increments: Check whether calls are per-second or per-minute. Per-second billing prevents wasted seconds and saves money on many short calls.
• Hidden taxes and surcharges: International plans may include regulatory fees, so compare total price rather than headline numbers.

Prepaid vs Postpaid International Options

Choosing between prepaid and postpaid depends on how often you call, your travel habits, and your need for predictability.

Prepaid international options

• How it works: You buy credits or a package up front, then use those minutes or data until the credit depletes.
• Pros: Cost control, no long-term contract, often low per-minute rates for international destinations. Good for occasional callers and travelers.
• Cons: Need to top up, separate balance management, potential higher per-minute rates for some destinations.
• Examples: Lycamobile prepaid plans, international calling cards, VoIP apps that use pay-as-you-go credit, like Telvio’s Starter/Standard/Pro packs.

Postpaid international options

• How it works: You pay monthly on a bill and may have an international add-on included or available to buy.
• Pros: Convenience, consolidated billing, easier for regular callers who prefer predictable plans.
• Cons: Potentially higher costs for infrequent users, contractual obligations for some plans, roaming charges if you travel and use voice abroad.

Which fits your needs

• Occasional international calls: Prepaid VoIP credit or a prepaid international SIM tends to be cheaper and more flexible.
• Frequent international calls: A postpaid international bundle or a VoIP plan with a recurring credit plan may be simpler and possibly cheaper overall.
• Travel and receiving calls: A virtual phone number or local prepaid SIM can reduce the cost of being reached while abroad.

See our guide on how to make international calls for a step‑by‑step approach tailored to your device and situation, and our guides on virtual phone numbers if you need to receive calls from abroad.

Money-Saving Tips for International Calls

Reduce costs without sacrificing call quality by combining the right tools and simple habits.

Use Wi‑Fi and VoIP whenever possible

• Make calls over Wi‑Fi rather than cellular voice or roaming data. VoIP services like Telvio let you call real phone numbers over Wi‑Fi at much lower rates. If you have reliable Wi‑Fi at home or the office, run calls over that connection.

Enable Wi‑Fi calling on your phone

• Many carriers support Wi‑Fi calling; this routes voice calls over your Wi‑Fi connection but still bills according to your carrier plan. If your carrier’s international rates are favorable when using Wi‑Fi calling, enable this in your phone settings to avoid poor cellular coverage.

Buy small credit packs with per‑second billing

• Avoid large monthly commitments if you call infrequently. Per-second billing saves money on many short calls. Telvio’s per-second billing and credit packs (Starter $1.99, Standard $4.99, Pro $9.99) are an example of that model.

Pick the right numbers to dial

• If the recipient has internet access, use app‑to‑app voice or video calls to avoid charges entirely. If they do not, look for local access numbers or virtual numbers that let you dial a local number that connects to the international destination at lower rates.

Compare plans before you buy

• Check per‑minute rates for specific destinations rather than only country categories. A $10 monthly add‑on could be cheaper than per-minute rates if you make many calls to a single country, but expensive if you call multiple destinations infrequently.

Avoid roaming voice charges

• When traveling, turn off cellular roaming for voice and use local Wi‑Fi or a local SIM. Roaming voice can cost several dollars per minute.

Schedule calls and consolidate

• Combine short messages into one longer call when possible. If you make multiple short calls, per-minute rounding can increase costs. Per-second billing helps, but consolidate when you can.

Use local callback numbers and dialing prefixes

• Some services offer callback or local access numbers that connect you internationally at reduced rates. These work well from landlines or where data is very limited.

Test the service with a short call

• After enabling an add‑on or downloading a VoIP app, make a one- or two-minute test call to ensure audio quality and correct billing.

Free and low-cost alternatives

• If both you and your contact have smartphones and good internet, free video or voice calling platforms are the cheapest option. See our free online video calling platforms guide for options and tradeoffs.