Can VoIP Be Used for International Calls?
There’s a better way to talk with customers than with outdated landlines that lack important features, collaboration tools, and multiple communication channels. For businesses looking to connect with international customers, there’s a more reliable and feature-rich communications option. Cloud-based — or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) — phone systems like Vonage’s, combined with unified communications as a service (UCaaS), let you reach and engage customers across the globe using services like messaging, voice, video, and more. Are you thinking about VoIP phone service for your international business customers? Here’s how it works.
Is VoIP Good for Calling Internationally?
Yes, VoIP works great for international calls! Because VoIP business phones use the internet rather than the traditional hard-wired Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), you can make international calls as long as there’s an internet connection. People have relied on the PSTN system for international calling for many years, despite disadvantages like cost. These days, you can communicate with anyone using a computer and an internet connection through a VoIP service, eliminating the need for local phone services. In fact, VoIP and UCaaS are often called online phone systems, cloud-based phone systems, or virtual calling tools.
Businesses can save money when adding a VoIP extension, which costs less than those for traditional systems. VoIP makes it possible to transmit voice and data communications over the same network, which can drastically lower infrastructure costs. And VoIP systems can increase productivity and save time.
Compared to traditional phone systems, VoIP international call systems are more:
Dependable
Secure
Portable
Affordable
High-quality
Because VoIP systems only need the internet to connect to customers, they are very dependable for users. VoIP can address security concerns by taking advantage of IP technology advancements like encryption and improved identity management. You only need an internet connected device to use VoiP, which gives you a high-quality call with less background noise. Not only that, there are lower installation and maintenance costs, which helps you keep expenses low.
How Do I Make an International Call From an IP Phone?
Just like dialing a landline phone, when making an international call from a VoIP phone line you need to format your call: international dialing prefix + country code + area code + local number.
For example, before dialing the number, press “+” to place an international call. You may do this quickly by holding down the 0 key and waiting for the “+” symbol to appear. When making international calls from a mobile phone, the + takes the place of the International Direct Dialing (IDD) code “011”. The local number should be included after the appropriate country code for the number you are dialing — e.g., you would dial "+", then 44, followed by the local number if you were contacting someone in the UK.
Does VoIP Charge for International Calls?
Yes, in most cases there is a charge for international VoIP calls. However, VoIP prices are typically far cheaper than those of traditional systems, and this is also true of VoIP international calls. Your company will save more money using VoIP if you make or receive a lot of international calls — for certain countries, VoIP caller rates can cost as little as two cents per minute. Depending on the VoIP service provider, plans can include international calling to specified countries in their standard plans, while others provide international credits and services at affordable rates.
It’s also important to consider that some VoIP service providers may supply you with a VoIP phone number for a country you frequently call, effectively giving you an international number.
What Is the Best VoIP Provider for International Calls?
If you’re looking for the best international calling service for your business, Vonage offers VoIP service as a part of our UCaaS bundle that enhances the customer experience. Your employees can connect at any time, from any location, using any device, including the ability to make international calls. With flexible minute bundles that may be expanded or reduced as your usage changes, Vonage Business Communications' (VBC) Global Calling Plans make calling abroad simple and affordable. All you have to do is choose from our Tier 1 or Tier 2 country lists and determine the amount of minutes you’d like. On average, our business customers save 36% off their monthly phone cost using our services.
We offer people-friendly technology with business-class features like:
Learn more about the business communications features that make us one of the world’s most flexible VoIP phone providers — and how we can help you make more cost-effective international calls.
