Not long ago, long distance calls were expensive. Per-minute rates and other hidden charges could quickly add up to anyone's phone bill, including businesses.
In the past, long distance calling involved a physical person having to connect physical wires to enable them to speak to the person on the other end. Back then, there were no wires running across the globe – it needed a series of operators connecting the right wires to make it work. The greater the distance, the more people were needed.
If you think about it that way, long-distance rates made sense. While we've come a long way since then, those rates are far from a thing of the past.
The good news is that most people can easily avoid these charges.
Why are long distance calls still a reality?
Landlines require copper wiring and digitizing devices to send your voice over a network cable to the person on the other end.
Just like 20 years ago, the greater the distance, the longer the cable.
In most cases, multiple connections must be made to facilitate a long-distance call. While no human intervention is required, there are costs associated with maintaining all the moving parts.
Today, long distance rates are much lower than they used to be, but it still costs your phone provider more to make a call that covers a longer distance.
However, you most likely won't have to worry about long distance charges if you don't use a landline.
Most mobile carriers offer unlimited long distance calling plans as standard. There may still be some plans that don't include it, but it is considered the norm. VoIP systems leverage the Internet to make calls and also don't charge extra for long distance calls.
SEE: Understand the difference between landlines and VoIP systems.
Local vs. long distance calls
Landline telephone providers use a rate center to designate geographic areas. Calls made to phones within the rate center are local, while calls to phones outside the limit are long distance.
Rate centers may vary from one telephone provider to another.
For mobile devices, there is no difference between domestic local calls and long distance calls, so long distance charges have largely been made obsolete on mobile phone plans. They may still use rate centers to determine where calls are coming from and to assign mobile numbers an area code, but this does not affect the cost of the call.
Long distance vs roaming
Roaming means that your mobile phone is dependent on a different carrier's network. This can happen if you travel to another country or to a place that some carriers cover and others don't. If you continue to use your phone, your carrier will charge you for using the other network.
This fee is then passed on to you. As mobile operators expand their networks, this is becoming less of an issue.
Long distance calls, on the other hand, have nothing to do with which network you are using.
National and international long distance calls
So far, we've only talked about domestic calls. International calls are charged when you call someone in a country other than the one in which you purchased your phone plan.
There is one small caveat: Some providers include regional coverage, meaning someone in the U.S. could also call anyone in Canada and Mexico at no extra cost. Not all carriers offer that, though, so it's an important question to ask if you're shopping around for options.
Unlike long distance calls, which only apply to landlines, international rates may apply no matter what type of phone system you are using.
Some providers may allow you to buy bundles of minutes or offer plans with discounted international rates, but most charge per minute. These rates vary widely depending on the destination you're calling and tend to be higher in places with less developed networks or strict regulations.
They can range from a few cents to a few dollars per minute. However, you should also keep the following in mind:
- Connection rates: Some companies may add this one-time fee that ranges from $0.50 to a few dollars per call. It's particularly common with prepaid calling cards, but this isn't always the case.
- Country surcharges: Countries may impose government fees, regulatory surcharges and levies that are passed on to the person who made the call.
- Mobile vs. Fixed: Calls to international mobile numbers are usually more expensive than calls to landlines.
This all depends on your carrier, so it's important to ask them if there are any additional charges if you plan to make international calls.
How to avoid long distance charges
It's relatively easy to avoid long distance charges. You may even be able to avoid international rates if you're willing to look outside of your regular phone plan.
Free long distance calling options
Zoom, Skype, and Google Meet are all video conferencing tools. However, you can use them without turning on the camera if you just want audio. You can use them on any internet-connected phone or computer.
Most apps like these have a free plan. Zoom lets you host calls with up to 100 people, but the connection will time out after 40 minutes.
You can always start another Zoom call right after if you need more time.
Skype doesn't require the other person to sign up or download anything, which makes it even easier for them to join. All you have to do is create a link and send it to them. Once they click it, they're on your way.
It also allows for international video calls, but they are not free. It varies by country, so be sure to check the prices before you start.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
VoIP allows you to make and receive calls over the Internet. It is most often used in businesses, but residential VoIP plans are also available. Most plans include unlimited national (or regional) calling by default.
There are some that offer a cheaper monthly rate but charge you per minute. In this case, local and long distance calls are considered the same and count as minutes.
However, this may be a more cost-effective option if you don't make many calls.
Many also offer unlimited international calling packages or minute bundles to help keep global communications costs down.
SEE: Best VoIP Services for International Calls in 2024
International calling apps
WhatsApp is one of the most popular apps for texting and making voice calls over the Internet. If you use it over Wi-Fi, it's completely free. You can also use your phone's network, but it does use data (many people have unlimited data plans, but that's not always the case).
Apps like Rebtel and TalkHome are designed specifically for international calling and offer competitive rates that often beat traditional carriers and VoIP providers.
However, they tend to have hidden fees and connection charges.
