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Help: long international phone call for cheap-ish?

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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
Ok so I have a question, and since NS is the resident experts on everything from the justice system, to economics, to music, to dildos, I know you guys won't let me down.

Here's my problem. For my new job that I start in another month, we have a really important conference call among the new hires and the partners at the firm. I need to be on the call to hear the information they tell us....but the phone call is taking place while I'll be on vacation in Mexico.

-I'll have access to a phone
-I will probably have access to a computer, although it will be a pay-for-use in the lobby limited thing

SO how can I get on this phone call, and call from Mexico to New Jersey for a 45 minute long phone call, without getting completely fucked on charges to do so? Help me please if you have any experience with international calling


inb4 you bang my mom or whatever else you crazy kids are doing these days. Thanks for your help!
Nov 22 2013 10:50PM
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louie.mirags
Posts: 6015 - Karma: 5,029
VoIP
Nov 22 2013 10:52PM
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SamWithanS
Posts: 22 - Karma: 479
Buy a cheap Walmart Trac Phone
Nov 22 2013 11:42PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
Skype
Nov 22 2013 11:57PM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
this is what I was thinking, and I saw you can buy Skype credits through their website, which are super reasonable.

Has anybody used it before? This is probably a dumb question but does that mean you have to use a computer to call in then, or do you just download the app and shut off your phone network otherwise? I'll have to do some research
Nov 23 2013 9:02AM
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Stainr
Posts: 1186 - Karma: -1,150
I'm at 36,000 feet as we speak headn to Aruba, download app called viber. Call and text
Nov 23 2013 9:33AM
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-benedetto
Posts: 5238 - Karma: 1,359
The Skype wifi app should work on your phone!!
Nov 23 2013 9:38AM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
awesome thanks guys, I will try and remember to report back on how it works out
Nov 23 2013 10:00AM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
Download an app called Viber.

You can call anyone in the world for free as long as they have WIFI and have viber. My mom is in eurpe and I talk to her everyday fo free.
Nov 23 2013 10:11AM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
this would be perfect if it was a personal phone call, but unfortunately it's one of those deals where I have been given a number and an access code to enter, and that will get me into the conference call at the office (held on a landline). That's where the difficulty comes in, if it was just a person-to-person call it wouldn't be bad (or expensive)
Nov 23 2013 10:13AM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
-google voice
-skype
-SIM card for your cell phone if your carrier/phone supports it
-buy phone card down there (although i've bought calling cards in mexico which don't work...but they are cheap and everywhere)
Nov 23 2013 10:17AM
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HungryHypocrite
Posts: 765 - Karma: 939
my sister constantly calls to argentina and she used to use skype credits, but the connection is messed up sometimes so she switched to phone cards.
you can buy cheap phone cards for like 5 bucks at 711 or something similar and then you can call through them.

dial the card company number, then dial your code thats on the card and then dial the number you want to call, that way it goes through the company of the international call card and you have a certain credit on the card.

thats what i'd use..
Nov 23 2013 10:46AM
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Mr.LemonPie
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 1,625
Landline numbers are really easy, I use localphone to call people around the world cus you can program numbers into the thing online and call from your phone for relatively cheap, (.07 to New Zealand, .04 to England/Min) But if you just need to make the call one Skype is probably easieast and I think it's under .05/min to call a US number.
Nov 23 2013 10:54AM
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louie.mirags
Posts: 6015 - Karma: 5,029
As long as you have wifi your smartphone will do the trick. The connection is always unpredictable though for voice over internet. So if you're going to be doing a lot of talking and dont want to risk it a phone card may be a steady, clear connection. Even buy the card before you leave so you don't get conned...
Nov 23 2013 6:58PM
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2_fadez
Posts: 7780 - Karma: 4,183
I used skype from Italy to the United States and didn't need credits. I don't know why you would
Nov 23 2013 7:14PM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
I'm going to go to verizon (my service provider) and ask them what the cost would be to just call on my phone.

since I'm assuming they'll try to rape me over it, I'm thinking a calling card is the way to go. I know I can get ahold of a landline phone in the lobby of the hotel, so a calling card should work out. And as was said, I'll buy it ahead of time here because fuck leaving the resort and dealing with a sketchy mexican 7/11 or something like that
Nov 23 2013 7:27PM
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sherwood4099
Posts: 1173 - Karma: 22
I only have experience with Verizon and AT&T. But I have traveled internationally with both (Europe, Africa, Israel, Cyprus etc) and each time I have called the carrier ahead of time. Informed them I was travelling and paid an extra per month fee to have international calling activated. (if your phone is a world phone: iphone, blackberry etc it will make calls regardless) but calling and setting up a temporary international plan changes how you are charged per minute. If it's an important call this is going to be the most stable way to do it. And it will cost a couple bucks but it won't be 100 or something crazy for 45 min Mexico will be cheaper then Europe or the Mid East for sure. Also check out the rates for calling from your hotel. I wouldn't trust something like Skype for a call that's business related if I wasn't already established at the company and had some job security. Hope this helps
Nov 23 2013 7:33PM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
definitely does, I have an iphone so that's perfect. thanks man! will call them monday. makes my life a lot easier to handle it that way
Nov 23 2013 7:49PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,507
For one month call your service provider and say you want to use your phone in mexico then cancel it.
Nov 23 2013 7:56PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
idk what kind of iphone you have, but if you're rocking a 4s, it's going to cost you a buck a minute to call from mexico.

Mexico (52 - CDMA)
Long Distance - Mexico Mobile
Dial 045 then area code then number
Other Countries
Dial 00 then Country Code then international number
Customer Service
Dial 001 then 908-559-4899
U.S.
Dial 00 then 1 then ten digit U.S. number
Local - Landline
Dial 7 digit local number
Local - Mobile
Dial 044 then area code then mobile number
Long Distance - Mexico Landline
Dial 01 then area code then number
Mexico (52 - None)
Customer Service from a landline
Dial Access Code: 001-800-674-7000 then follow Calling Card Dialing Instructions (below)

Calling Card Dialing Instructions: If you cannot place a call from your VZW device, please call Global Support toll-free from any landline phone using these instructions.
1. Dial the toll-free access code for the country you are in (See Dialing Instructions above).
2. After the tone, enter your Verizon Wireless calling card number and PIN. (Calling Card Number: 9085594899 PIN: 2392)
3. After the tone enter 0-908-559-4899.
4. The VZW Global Roaming Hotline will then prompt you to enter your 10-digit mobile number.

To check Voice Mail for a mobile number: Use the travel country to the U.S instructions above and call the mobile number. Press # to interrupt the greeting and enter your password when prompted.
Depending on your device, press and hold "0" or "*" to display the "+" symbol. The "+" symbol automatically inserts the exit code for the country from which you are calling.


Nov 23 2013 8:14PM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
it's a 5, and I'm sure it'll end up being an obnoxious charge somehow.

You know what the call is for? Since I know you're in accounting also.... the call is for the partner/s supervising us noobies, to tell us what to expect in terms of busy season hours and travel requirements. So it's just going to be paying a lot to listen to news that sucks haha
Nov 23 2013 8:18PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
still .99/min. and you probably already know what to expect...work every waking hour and travel wherever they need you to go from jan - april...haha
Nov 24 2013 10:57AM
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