4 Efficient Ways for Businesses to Make International Calls

International means between or involving different countries. Communication is an integral aspect of every relationship. In the business world, it’s not only vital but the core of everything. Communication can be a challenge if you have business partners worldwide.

A few years back, making an international call would cost you an arm and a leg. With the advancements in technology, this situation has changed.  But still, a phone bill can be outrageous if you’re not using the right technology.

Most businesses can’t afford these exorbitant costs because it impacts their profits. Regardless of your telecom company, you can’t avoid hefty costs. But all thanks to technological advancement, it is no longer exorbitant to make an international call.

There are various options organisations can leverage when making an international business call. The variety of apps available in the market make it easy to make free or inexpensive international calls.

But if you’re in business once in a while, you’ll need to dial international landline numbers. Unfortunately, some of the free apps may not allow you to place a call on a landline or mobile number.

Thanks to some Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) apps, they don’t limit you to only the free apps. You can make calls to landlines or mobile numbers at an affordable rate.

Here are some of the app’s businesses can leverage to make cheap international calls:

1. Talk360

Talk360 is a useful calling app that businesses can leverage. Apps like WhatsApp or Telegram require a steady internet connection to work. Also, the recipient and the caller both need to have the apps installed.

But with Talk360, the recipient doesn’t need the app or an internet connection. When making an international call, you can call landlines, smartphones, or regular phones.

The good news about Talk360 is that it gives a one-minute free trial. So, it’s easy for you to determine if the app will suit your business

Besides, you can use the app to make cheap calls everywhere worldwide. This includes countries in Africa like, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. If you’re in the US, or anywhere else in the globe, you can be calling Nigeria for free using Talk360.

Like many other international calling apps, Talk360 uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The VoIP service makes it easy to connect callers to receivers online. Therefore, you can use Talk360 to make calls to both internet and classic telephone network receivers.

However, you’ll need to install the software on your phone if you’re making calls. The good thing about Talk360 is that you still can make inexpensive and high-quality international calls, whether you’re calling a smartphone or a landline.

2. Skype

Skype is a popular Microsoft online calling and messaging platform. The free online video and voice calls are the ones that made it more widespread. The recipient and the caller should have a Skype account to enjoy their free calls.

The app works on various platforms, and you can use it to send in-app messages. Making an international call to a landline or mobile phone will cost you a small fee. You can leverage the two options available for payment: Skype Credit or a subscription.

Skype Credit is ideal if you don’t frequently make calls to landlines. It acts as a pay-as-you-go service for Skype. You are only required to pay when you’re making calls. Download the app, purchase credits, then key in the desired number and the correct country code.

But a subscription would be best for your business if you frequently call abroad. Monthly subscriptions will give you unlimited international calls.

You’ll have to pay Skype connection fees, besides the direct and subscription payments. The amount varies for different nations. Each nation has a unique call rate.

On Skype’s website, you can enter the country you want to make your call to, to know the rates. However, you shouldn’t be worried as Skype is relatively affordable compared to regular international phone calls.

3. Facebook Messenger

Facebook has at least 2.9 billion active users globally. And 12.5% of all these people use messenger to communicate with one another.

Today, most businesses understand the value Messenger has on global communication. Therefore, Messenger is snowballing as an effective tool for communication.

Facebook is popular because of its messaging abilities. Today businesses can leverage Messenger to make free international calls. All you need is a steady internet connection for the call to be effective.

You can download the app on Apple or Google Play store. By clicking the people icon, it will display if your desired contact is available on Messenger.

But first, ensure that your recipient adds phone numbers to their profile to enjoy free calls. The beauty of this app is that you can make cheap calls even when you’re in transit. Additionally, Messenger is easy to use, and you don’t need to be tech-savvy.

4. FaceTime

The FaceTime app is undoubtedly one of the favourite apps among Apple users. Unfortunately, you need an iPhone or iPad, among other apple devices, to use this app.

If your iPhone has an iOS7, you may make free or cheap premium quality calls to Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, or globally.

Just ensure you have a stable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection for the calls to be premium. However, if you don’t have a strong Wi-Fi connection and you’re only using mobile data, it is safe to make only audio calls. This is because video calls will consume an enormous bandwidth making it costly.

Ensure you have the most recent Apple software to enjoy their free international calls. Besides, you don’t need to be tech-savvy to use Facetime app. You only need to log in with your Apple ID and password to make a call.

Even though it’s limited to Apple users, it has a 15.6% global market share. So, there’s no doubt that some of your business partners may be already using the Facetime app.

Final Thoughts

Most businesses are leveraging the global market. So, you must ensure you can make international business calls to enjoy opportunities.

In today’s world, it is imperative that you find effective ways to save money on international calls.  Thanks to advancements in technology, this is now a reality.  Talk360, Facetime, Messenger, and Skype are some technological apps you can always use to make international calls that don’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Washington Group & Associates Welcomes New Attorney

Washington Group & Associates, a mid-sized international law firm based in Taipei, Taiwan, welcomes American lawyer Randall Moeller, who recently joined the law firm’s service team.

WG&A founding partners are alumni of Washington University School of Law in St. Louis.

Randall Moeller, a graduate of Harvard and the University of Michigan Law School, has been named a “Washington State Super Lawyer” many times.

He practiced law in Seattle, Washington for over 20 years, and his focus is primarily on litigation and intellectual property law.

Randall is conversational in Mandarin Chinese.

Randall Moeller’s areas of specialty include:

  • Serving as Director of Washington Group’s International Department and liaison with the law firm’s international clients
  • Drafting legal documents in English, his native language
  • Advising clients on matters including United States intellectual property registration, licensing, and litigation

Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is a modern metropolis with Japanese colonial lanes, busy shopping streets and contemporary buildings.

The skyline is crowned by the 509m-tall, bamboo-shaped Taipei 101 skyscraper, with upscale shops at the base and a rapid elevator to an observatory near the top.

Taipei is also known for its lively street-food scene and many night markets, including expansive Shilin market.

Washington Group & Associates has received a number of international awards, including “International Law — Law Firm of the Year” in 2021. The law firm has expanded its international law services with the addition of Randall to its service team.

For more information, please contact amy.hsu@wglaw.com.tw.