UPDATE: This tutorial has been updated. Please refer to the updated post to find out how to save your local cell phone minutes.
When comparing VoIP providers for the cheapest international calling options, you often overlook the charges levied by the local cell phone carrier. Often the cost to call the local access number (local leg) is higher then the international portion. For instance, AT&T charges $0.45 per minute if you go beyond your monthly minutes. Even if you are within your monthly minutes, you pay anywhere between 10-15 cents per minute. Here is a great trick that helps you save your cell phone minutes without making any changes to your calling behavior.
Remember, most carriers allow free unlimited calls within their network. So how can you exploit this fact to make international calls without using up your cell phone minutes. Zenofon, a fast growing VoIP start up, is offering a great way to save on your local charges. Instead of you calling their local access number, you will receive a call from a number within your network and since in-network calls are free, you do not pay anything. Confused, read on for a step by step guide…
- You need to specify the number from which you can receive free calls on your phone.
- To do this, login to your account on Zenofon and go to the setup page.
- At the bottom left side, you will see “Control your Caller-ID”. Instead of using Automatic call-ID, choose Manual Call-id and specify a number from where you can receive calls for free (in network number). Please note that the called party will see this number on the caller-id. Number entered here will be used for all your calls.
- If you want to use this selectively for some numbers, then you can specify this number when you create a contact in your contact book in the Caller-ID field.
That’s it, you are now set to make calls without using your local minutes!! All you need to do is dial the local number assigned for the person you want to reach. But instead of completing the call, hang-up your call when you hear two short beeps. If you hang-up after the short beeps, Zenofon will call you back with the number you chose earlier, and then call your contact. Since this is an in-network number, your local leg is free. If you do not hang up after the short beeps, the call will be completed as a regular call, i.e. you will pay for the local leg as well.
Ordinarily this call back service would have cost you 1cent extra, but Baruch from Zenofon has agreed to reduce the charge to 0.2 cents, i.e. $0.002 for the call back service. So you only pay 0.1 cent instead of paying 45 cents for your local portion.
Please note that the number that you have entered is not engaged during the period of the call, nor is the other person being charged for these calls (in network). So it’s a win-win for everyone. But, I would request you to let the person know about this, so that he/she is not surprised to see the large number of in-network calls.
We already have reviewed Zenofon and how you can make ultra cheap international calls using Zenofon. If you want to try this service, you are welcome to try the service and enter the Ultimate VoIP giveaway to get some free international calling credits.