As the world economy has become globalized, the need for efficient and fast communication has grown enormously. Fortunately you can make an international call by direct dial (without an operator's assistance) to and from almost anywhere. All you need is the correct calling codes for the country you wish to call and an understanding of how that country's phone numbering system is organized. A discount calling plan and some advance preparation can help by keeping toll charges to a minimum.
Although international calling is fairly easy, you must know some basic things first. Number one is the numbering system used in the country you are calling. In the United States this is simple: all phone numbers consist of a 3-digit area code and a 7-digit local number. In many nations it's more complicated. In England and Mexico, for example, area codes can be anywhere from 2 to 4 digits, with larger cities having shorter codes. Local numbers may vary in length as well. In some countries you must place an additional digit in front of the phone number if the call is to a cellphone. For specific national requirements, check an international calling website such as Howtocallabroad.com (see References).
If you are calling to and from countries that are members of the North American Numbering Plan, an international call works just like any regular long distance call inside the United States. Dial 1, the area code, and the local number. NACP member nations include the United States, Canada, American territories like Guam, and several Caribbean nations (see References).
To call non-NANP countries from the United States (or any NANP member nation) you must dial 011 plus the country code and then the phone number. For example, to call France, dial 00 plus 1 plus the country code for France, which is 33. Follow this with the area code and phone number you want to call. You can do a search for country calling codes on the site mentioned above (Howtocallabroad.com)
In most countries, making an international call to the United States or other NANP countries is a simple matter. Dial the exit code (usually 00) plus the country code, which is 1 for the NANP member nations. There are a few exceptions. For example, in Russia, you must dial 8, pause for a new dial tone, and then dial 10 and your number. It's best to check with a local operator before trying to place a call from another country.
For globetrotting travelers, the time where you are may be as much as 12 hours ahead or behind the time zone you are calling. (Keep this in mind so you don't wake someone up at 3 a.m.) At the same time, you get lower rates if you call outside local business hours or on weekends, so a little advance planning can save you some money. You can also keep costs down by having a discount calling plan. Your telephone company probably has an international calling plan for frequent international callers. Alternatively, many telecommunications companies have discount plans and calling cards, including Pennytalk.com, Verizon, Vonage, and Pingo.com.
