MOBILESINDIA: INTERNATIONAL CELL PHONE COVERAGE

The best money saving international calling plans are those that offer unlimited calls for one flat rate. With a flat rate, there's no need to keep track of minutes, peak calling times, or roaming charges. A flat rate means you can call anywhere, anytime, and talk for as long as you want.

VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol technology is making wireless and mobile services more affordable because it uses IP networks, like the Internet, rather than public switched telephone networks, to deliver voice communications and other messaging applications. VoIP converts analog voice signals to digital and translates the signal into Internet Protocol. On the receiving end, the process is reversed.

The best money saving international calling plans are those that offer unlimited calls for one flat rate. With a flat rate, there's no need to keep track of minutes, peak calling times, or roaming charges. A consistent monthly cellular calling plan allows the international traveler or business person to make unlimited calls or to transfer unlimited data.

There are a number of different types of international calling plans available. To save money, do a price comparison based on your needs. Consider your overall international calling usage during a typical month.

Look at how many minutes you use and how much you pay for them. It is best to also calculate the amount of taxes, included fees for additional call minutes, or surcharges that are tacked on when data transfer volumes are just not enough on any given month. The average person doesn't often call internationally. One must ask why? Probably, it is due the high international call rates. When services are affordable and pervasive, more and more people will find the reasons to call friends, family, or business associates in other countries.

Some international calling plans differ for a land line phone and a mobile phone. Often times, unlimited calling is provided with a home calling plan, while the price structure for mobile phones provides only a set number of minutes for a monthly fee. To save money, choose a plan that offers the best value, whether using a home or mobile phone.

Most, if not all, cell phone networks are considered 3G. Some of the newer services and top of the line mobile phones are beginning to advertise higher G related functionality and services. They operate on the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), which is the most common standard for mobile phones around the world. The new VOIP cellular technology allows for mobile to mobile device calling with a flat monthly rate charges for for international calling services. For the best value in international calling prices, look for a service that utilizes digital GSM.

International rates vary depending on the country you are calling. If you frequently make calls to several foreign countries, the best way to save money is with a flat rate and unlimited calling. Flat rate international calling plans are more economical than per minute plans traditionally offered by long distance providers.

Because of the cost per minute for international cell phone calls and the limitations on data transfers, the vast majority of cellular users only have domestic calling plans. The real game changer are the international cell phone plans that allow those who live in another country to call into or out of the United States without any roaming charges. If you travel internationally and need to make phone calls to other countries via your cell phone, you need to watch out. Often, you will get struck with huge roaming charges and international rates if you do not have the right international cellular coverage. As always, there are rate per minutes for most international calling plans with additional taxes piled on by the government. The good news relates to a drop in prices because a new generation of cellular service providers are using VOIP technologies to route cell calls globally.

To save money on international rates, shop around for the best deal for the country you call most often, or look for a mobile service provider that includes unlimited calling or texting, along with unlimited live chat or Skype.