Make cheap international calls
Did you already know that calling within the EU does not incur extra charges these days? So this is already a windfall, but if you call outside the EU with your own subscription or prepaid card, the rates are enormous. This is because outside the European Union charges are not regulated by general bodies such as the European Commission. So there is an open market, and this makes the cost of a few minutes of calling from America quickly skyrocket. But do not worry for too long, calls to and from outside the EU can also be cheap. So how can you still make cheap international calls? We’ve figured this out for you to make it as cheap as possible for you. Solutions to avoid high bills when calling internationally include internet calling, holiday bundles and buying a local SIM card.
Internet calling
If you use a Wi-Fi network and call via the Internet, this call is also completely free. So you’ll never have to deal with sky-high bills again, because calling outside the United Kingdom (UK) is definitely not cheap. Unfortunately, you often cannot reach everyone via WhatsApp, Skype, Viber, Facebook or FaceTime. Not everyone is active on these media and you certainly can’t expect this from your grandpa or grandma. But fortunately, there is a solution for everything. With Skype and Talk360, you can make cheap calls to landlines. The unique thing about these tools is that no matter which country you call from, the rate is always the same. Below, we briefly explain both apps.
Skype
If you want to add credit to your Skype account, you do so by topping up Skype with so-called SkypeOut credit. This is a prepaid credit and if you have this you can call English numbers for a low rate.
Talk360
Talk360 is an app that lets you make cheap calls to landlines. The provider is a company called RBN. RBN stands for Roaming Does Not Exist and this is meant to be a mispronunciation of the phone companies that earn outlandishly high amounts of money from transferring data traffic, calls and texts between themselves across country borders. It works in much the same way as Skype. Namely, you make calls over the Internet. If you are abroad, including on other continents, you pay 2 cents per minute for English landline phones. If you call a English mobile phone, you pay 7 cents per minute. Calling other countries is also very cheap.
The app is suitable for Android, iPhone and Blackberry. Important to mention is that you cannot make free calls with this app. So you cannot add accounts like Skype and then call other accounts for free. This app is only for making calls to landlines. You also need Wi-Fi, of course, otherwise you will consume a lot of mobile data and that quickly adds up to the cost. Upgrading credits works just like upgrading prepaid credit. So you’re not stuck with a subscription.
Of course, you may not have access to a free Wi-Fi network. Then we recommend calling via WhatsApp. This is because when you call with WhatsApp, you consume relatively few MBs. With WhatsApp, you consume around 250 KB per minute, while with Skype it is 1000 KB and with Viber 700 KB.
Holiday bundles
Many providers offer holiday bundles. Whether this is interesting depends on your calling behaviour and your provider’s offer. These differ significantly per provider. We, therefore, advise you to contact your own provider so that they can help you further on your way.
Local SIM card
If you are staying abroad for a more extended period of time, it may be wise to buy a local SIM card. This is because then you will call at the local rate. This is especially handy if you want to reach people in the same country as where you are staying. So it is worth considering! Just remember to bring an extra phone.
Cheap calls start with mapping out your usage
The first step towards a lower phone bill is to map out your own usage. Exactly how many calls, SMS and internet do you use? That’s a question many people can’t give an exact answer to. We recommend finding out your usage over the past six months. You can find this data via your provider’s website or customer service. To save on your phone costs, it is essential that you gain insight into this, and to help you on your way, we have looked up some handy features.
Charting call behaviour
If you want to chart your call minutes, you can request them from your provider. In addition, all providers also have a call status app. Would you like to carry out an analysis of your calling behaviour? You can use this mobile data calculator. They use the data your provider keeps for you, so you will need your username and password for your account with your provider. Make sure you install the right app. There are fraudulent apps that pretend to be useful, but in reality, only want to retrieve your login details.
Mapping SMS usage
Now that free apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger have been discovered by most people, SMS usage has decreased quite a bit. Convenient apps to map your SMS usage are therefore non-existent, but your provider’s call status app can give you insight into your usage. You can also find it on your provider’s website. Do you realise that you actually never send text messages anymore? Then take this into account when choosing a subscription.
Internet net usage mapping
The call status app we have already recommended above provides insight into your internet usage. An alternative to this is data apps such as My Data Manager and Data Usage. These are free applications. My Data Manager is known for being easy to use. In addition, what makes the app special is that you can link it to multiple devices. So if you want to keep track of your children’s internet usage, this app is perfect. This way, you will never receive high bills again because they continue to use the internet outside their bundle. What is also very handy is that My Data Manager predicts how much data you will still use. This way, you can adjust your surfing and calling behaviour in time so you don’t end the month with high bills. Data Usage is also a reliable app. What makes this app handy is that you can set a daily, weekly or monthly limit. The app icon also shows you what percentage of your data you have already consumed. And are you shocked by your usage? If you have a subscription, you can always set a limit. You will then receive a text message if you risk exceeding your limit. If you don’t have a subscription, you can also use the ‘My Data Manager’ app for this. We’ll give you more tips later in this article. Want to read this now? Then scroll down to ‘Reducing data usage’.
Make huge savings with subscription types (prepaid sim cards, sim only, with or without mobile)
Taking out subscriptions from mobile providers is unfortunately not something everyone is familiar with. This is unfortunate because if you accidentally take out the wrong subscription or keep the same subscription for too long out of ignorance, you are actually a thief of your own wallet. To help you with this, we have made an overview of all possible subscription types. We explain the advantages of each subscription and which subscription best suits different types of consumers. The use of prepaid credit is not left out either. We will also give you tips for choosing a subscription, explain which sites are most helpful in comparing subscriptions and conclude with some final advice. All the different options cause choice stress for many people, but now it’s time for some clarification.
Prepaid
When you use prepaid, you pay in advance. This means you put credit on your SIM card in advance. You can do this through your provider’s website, but you can also buy credit in a shop. Your credit will decrease as you make calls, use the internet or send texts. So you won’t get a bill afterwards. The rates for prepaid calling, texting and internet are higher than when you take out a subscription. However, this does not mean that it is always a more expensive option. If you use your mobile phone very little, it can still be a cheaper option. So prepaid is for small users. One tip we would like to give you if you choose prepaid is to switch to the cheaper tariff. When you buy a new prepaid SIM card, you will automatically get the normal rate first. When you register online with your provider, you can turn on the advantageous rate.
What is essential to know is that with prepaid, you often have to top up once every six months. If you do not do this, your number will be blocked automatically. So keep this in mind. The number of times you need to top up per year differs per provider, so check with your own provider. Are you still hesitating between prepaid and subscription? The Consumers’ Association has designed a comparison. It shows the costs for a prepaid caller per month. You can specify how many MBs, SMSes and call minutes you use. The comparer calculates the cost for you. So you can compare this amount with subscriptions. This way, you can easily find out what is the cheapest for you.
Subscription
So a subscription plan is more suitable for people who use more data, texts or call minutes. You pay a certain amount to a provider every month, and in return, you get one or more bundles of call minutes, texts and MBs. You pay this amount afterwards. So if you went outside your bundle, this amount will add up. Often, the prices for SMS, call minutes and MB used outside the bundle are significantly higher. So we advise you to keep a close eye on your usage every month. Most contracts last 1 or 2 years but some providers also offer monthly contracts. We won’t dwell too much on the monthly contracts, as they are generally much more expensive. You can buy 1- or 2-year contracts with or without a phone.
Sim only abonnement
A sim-only subscription is a subscription without a new phone. So if you still have a working phone, this is the most suitable and probably the most economical solution. The providers will probably tempt you with beautiful new models, but if you don’t really need it, it is of course wasted money. If you take out a subscription, you can often choose a one- or two-year contract. By the way, this applies to sim-only subscriptions as well as subscriptions with handsets. Often, two-year contracts are cheaper. However, this does mean that you are less flexible. After all, you are tied to a subscription with this provider for two years. Sim-only subscriptions are also often cheaper than subscriptions with a phone.
Moreover, they are often more flexible. Usually, you can adjust them per month. This also varies per provider so it might be wise to check with your provider. Are you still doubting which is cheaper for you? Then it is wise to compare the different subscriptions. You can read more about this under the heading ‘compare’.
Subscription with device
If you no longer have a phone, a subscription with a handset can be convenient. Research this well. You may still be able to pick up a cheap second-hand phone or refurbished device. If so, this is probably the cheapest option. Would you instead opt for a subscription with the device anyway? In that case, there are still choices to be made. After all, you can pay off the device monthly or all at once.
Pay off the device monthly
Paying off a phone monthly is the most common option. However, it is often also the most expensive option. You are running a kind of loan with your provider. After all, the phone you are already using is still partly in their possession.
Pay off the device in one go
So we recommend you pay off the device in one go. You won’t borrow anything from your provider then, which means you’ll be cheaper. They don’t say, ‘borrowing money costs money’ for nothing.
Smart Subscriptions: Tips for Cost-Effective Calling Plans to any destination
Don’t pay too much attention to the subscription name
Sometimes you come across subscriptions with splendid names like ‘abundant calling 200’. They imply that you have 200 calling minutes. However, if you pay per full minute, you will be charged 30% more minutes than you actually call. This is because you rarely call precisely one minute. Ultimately, this means that if you call 150 minutes a month, you actually need a 195-minute bundle. To find a suitable subscription, compare the different subscriptions and providers. Want to know more about this? Then scroll down to the ‘Compare’ section.
Choose an MVNO or subsidiary
An MVNO stands for a Mobile Virtual Network Operator. MVNOs and subsidiaries are often cheaper than the big and better-known mobile phone providers. They may seem like small, unreliable companies, but the opposite is true. Because they are part of large networks, they are just as reliable. Examples include Lyca Mobile, 1pmobile, Lebara, BT Shop, and giffgaff.
Opt for family benefits
Most providers have special deals if all members of the family subscribe to the same provider. This means you get discounts on the total price, for example, or if you want to make calls between family members. Check with your provider whether this is possible. Don’t settle for a ‘no’ too quickly, sometimes negotiation is possible.
Compare
Don’t forget to compare the different subscriptions. Comparing different subscriptions and different providers can save you a lot of money. After all, subscriptions run for months or even years, so even if it only saves you a few euros a month, it can save you a lot in the long run. To help you on your way, we have tested the most valuable and user-friendly comparison sites for you.
Call cheap to other countries. Use several comparison sites and make an overview for yourself
We find the uswitch’s comparator the most user-friendly. After all, you can specify exactly what your needs are. You can indicate whether you want a sim only or a subscription with a phone. You can also indicate in advance how much you want to pay every month. After that, you will have many more options you can choose from. For instance, you can indicate how many call minutes, SMS and MBs you want. Another frequently used comparison site is of which.co.uk. The filters you can set here are similar to the consumer association’s comparator.
What do you need to consider?
Finally, we would like to point out a few final points. For instance, there may also be costs associated with switching. Please read our latest advice below.
Transfer charges
It may sometimes seem cheaper to switch, but switching will cost you 30 euros, so may not be as beneficial as you thought. So factor this into your calculation. You can talk to your new provider about this, who knows what they can arrange for you!
Number portability
Don’t forget to apply for number portability. This is perfectly normal these days and you can simply indicate this while ordering. But we have more good news: number portability is entirely free.
Take good care of your phone and battery
You probably know, but the battery is one of the weakest points of any phone. But how do you take good care of your battery? We have listed some tips for you:
Adjust the screen brightness
You keep your battery good for as long as possible by setting the screen brightness as low as possible. This is because a high brightness level eats up energy.
Saturate colours
You can also specify that you want the colours on your phone to be displayed less saturated. Many phones make colours very bright and vivid, which again consumes much power.
Night mode
Furthermore, setting your phone to night mode at night can help.
Disable unnecessary functions
Turn off features you don’t use. These include Wi-Fi, mobile data, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC.
Limiting background processes
Limit the number of background processes. You can limit background processes by setting your social media apps to block all notifications.
Don’t install too many apps!
Don’t install too many apps on your phone. Many apps keep running in the background, and this naturally consumes the battery.
Refresh your operating system
Make sure your operating system is up to date. System updates are not there to bully you!
Use energy-saving mode
Make use of energy-saving options. Examples include Doze and Stamina. If you don’t use your phone for a while, all unnecessary connectivity and network activity will be stopped.
Switch the phone on and off
It is important to switch your phone on and off once in a while. This will stop all background processes, and you can start again with a clean slate. This is tiny work but very good for the battery.
Need a new device? Choose and compare the cheapest with the tips below
If your battery is beyond saving, you probably need a new phone. Picking a new phone is not easy for everyone. The choice is vast, and prices and features vary quite a bit. But whether you have the latest iPhone or a cheaper Xiaomi, at the end of the day, the essential functions of every smartphone are the same. After all, you can make calls, send texts and use the internet with all of them. So leave that latest, trendy model in the shop and opt for an older model. That way, you’ll keep the money for other things. Another clever trick is to opt for a used phone. Of course, you can check with friends and acquaintances to see if they have an old phone lying around somewhere, but we have also come up with some other tips.
Is it really necessary?
Check yourself if you really need a new device. Aren’t you tempted by advertisers with fancy talk? And do you need a new phone yourself, or would you like to have a newer device than your friends? These are not good motives for buying a new phone. Check this out for yourself, and then if you need to, use the following tips.
Marketplace
Why buy a new device when countless second-hand ones are on the internet? Second-hand smartphones are a lot cheaper and, therefore, better for the wallet. However, we do recommend you pick up the devices. Then you can be sure you won’t be ripped off, and what’s more, it gives you a chance to check whether the device is working properly.
Refurbished smartphones
Refurbished smartphones are used smartphones that have often been leased by companies. Companies often lease smartphones for their employees, but the phones are replaced once the lease period ends. However, the ‘old’ devices are still in good condition, and you can use them—various websites offer refurbished devices. The advantage of this method is that the phones are checked before they are sold. Moreover, you get up to 3 years of warranty. So these are great benefits you often don’t get through second-hand gear websites.
Watch out for offers
Deals, deals, deals, we can’t say it often enough. If it is time to buy a new device, it is wise to check out what offers are available. Often, shops do this to attract new customers, but for you, this can be beneficial too. In the phone and electronics categories, you can quickly and easily check all the current offers in phone and electronics shops.
Buying at the right time
Of course, if you are still keen to buy a new model, you may decide immediately. But did you know that smartphone prices dropped about 25 per cent six months after their launch? So we recommend waiting six months to make this purchase. Ultimately, you will have the same device for less money.
Trading in your old phone
If your old phone is still of value, you can, of course, sell it on Marketplace, but sometimes you can also return it to shops for a fee. Often the amounts they offer are not very high, but if it is otherwise gathering dust in the cupboard, giving it a second life in exchange for a small amount is better. Examples of providers that work according to this system are Vodafone and T-mobile. The nice thing about these shops is that you can quickly and easily calculate the trade-in value online.
Save on your smartphone insurance
Many people buy expensive phones, and insurers play smartly on this. People are afraid their phones will break or be stolen, so you will often be offered phone insurance when buying a new one. Many people are quickly persuaded – after all, an accident is in a small corner. But does insurance deliver? The answer to this question is simple. On average, it delivers nothing; in fact, it costs money. Often the coverage is low, and the deductible is high. An excess is often between 45 and 100 euros, and there are many cases where the insurance does not pay out. This also makes sense. Insurance companies employ workers, and these people have to be paid at the end of the month. The insurance company itself also wants to earn from it, and the customers ultimately pay all this money. Moreover, you are paying for a risk that is within your control. Ensure you do not lose your phone, and buy a good smartphone case so the screen does not break immediately if you drop it once.
Save mobile data via telecom providers
No matter how sparingly you use your data, almost everyone can cut it back even more. Sneaky apps that consume data in the background and ads and downloads are all data guzzlers. Below, we give you ten tips to minimise your data consumption.
Use an adblocker
Adblocker apps save 30 to as much as 40 per cent of data when browsing. When you are on the internet, you get a lot of ads. These ads slurp up data. When you use adblocker apps, the ads in your browser are blocked. Unfortunately, the ads within apps are not blocked. What is good news is that your cookies are also blocked. This keeps your privacy protected. We recommend the adblocker app Ghostery. This app is excellent and free.
Avoid data eaters
Some activities on the internet consume a lot of MBs. Think of watching videos and streaming audio. So avoid sites like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify and Internet radio when using your mobile data. If you are using a Wi-Fi network, of course, this is no problem at all. This brings us directly to the next tip.
Uses Wi-Fi networks or Wi-Fi hotspots as much as possible
When you use a Wi-Fi network, you no longer use mobile data. So that means you can surf the internet for free. Some cities offer accessible Wi-Fi networks. This is also the case in most trains and buses these days. So check this when you get on the train. Also, at home, school or work, you can of course, ask for the Wi-Fi password. In addition, some providers have free Wi-Fi hotspots. Whether these are also free for you depends on your subscription. KPN and T-Mobile are examples of providers that offer Wi-Fi hotspots. So that way, you consume much less data via mobile internet.
Opt for mobile websites
You are often asked whether you want to use the mobile website when browsing the internet. These are websites specially tailored for your phone. Often the address then starts with m., mob., or mobile. Because they are designed to be visited on mobile phones, they cost less data than regular sites. As a result, they also load faster than a regular website.
Get insight into your data usage
My Data Manager is an app that provides insight into your data usage. Moreover, you can set an alarm when you are almost over your maximum consumption. Want to know more about the benefits of this app? Then scroll up. We explain more about it under the heading ‘mapping your consumption’. Onavo Count is an app that maps your data usage over the past 30 days. What we found helpful about this app is that you can see how much data that apps consume. So maybe you have apps on your phone that you hardly use but drain your credit. By understanding this, you can start deleting these apps. Save!
Set a data limit
If you know you often use too much data, set a data limit. On most phones, this is done in the following way: Go to settings > Network and internet > Data usage > Mobile data usage.
Disable automatic synchronisation
Your phone syncs automatically, and this costs you data. Therefore, turn off your automatic syncing. You do this as follows: Go to Apps > Settings > Data usage/data usage > Menu button > turn off ‘Data automatically synchro’.
Turn off ‘Background data’
Do this for the apps that slurp a lot of data. Again, you can regulate this through your settings. If you set this, background data will only be updated over Wi-Fi networks.
Disabling automatic media downloading on WhatsApp
WhatsApp automatically downloads all images sent to you. This consumes a lot of data, especially in group apps where endless videos and photos are shared. It is then wise to disable automatic media downloading. You can then still view the photos and videos later. This is useful if you know you’ll return to a Wi-Fi network soon. It can be a good solution, even if this is not the case. After all, you can decide which photos and videos are worth downloading. To disable automatic media downloads on WhatsApp, do as follows: Open WhatsApp and go to Settings (the icon with three dots at the top right) > Data and storage usage > When using mobile network > Turn this off for images, sound and video.
Turn on ‘data saving’ in the Facebook app
This is another quick and easy way to reduce your data usage. You do this by opening the Facebook app and going to the menu (this is the icon with three dashes). Then choose Settings and Privacy> Data saving > turn on ‘Data saving’. When you turn on data saving, among other things, the size of the photos you open becomes smaller, which means you use less data.
Cheap internet calls (best for overseas)
Internet calling is completely free if you are connected to a Wi-Fi network. There are vastly different methods of doing this. For instance, you can call via WhatsApp, Skype, Facebook, Viber, and FaceTime. Remember to add the person you want to reach to your contracts/friends list; otherwise, calling will not be possible. This is an excellent way to save on your phone bill. You can also call a landline or mobile number via the Internet. However, this is not free. You often have to buy credit, but the rates are still desirable. Providers are Skype and Talk 360. Below is a brief overview of the different providers.
Calling with WhatsApp is becoming increasingly popular. If you use a Wi-Fi network, it is free. You can also install the app for free. The feature works on Android phones as well as iPhones. Moreover, the connection is often good.
Skype
With hundreds of millions of users worldwide, Skype is the most widely used programme for making calls over the Internet. The connection is good, and calling is completely free. With Skype, you can also chat and call landlines. If you want to call landlines, unfortunately, this is not free but still very cheap. You can find more under the heading ‘cheap calls abroad’.
Calling via Facebook is also completely free. Open the chat and click the ‘i’ at the top right. Unfortunately, you do need another app for this. Indeed, calling and chatting these days can only be done via Facebook Messenger.
Viber
Viber can be installed on all smartphones. You can use it to make free calls, chat and share images. At low rates, you can also call fixed and mobile numbers. This is useful if the person you want to reach does not have Viber installed on his or her phone.
FaceTime
FaceTime is an app that is only usable by Apple users. Unfortunately, you cannot use this app to talk to all your friends. The advantages are that it is free, and audio and video calls are often high quality.
Talk360
Talk 360 is an app that lets you make internet calls to regular phones. We’ll explain more about this app later. Want to know about it now? Then scroll straight to ‘Cheap calls abroad’. Good to know: you can also use this app for cheap calls to landlines domestically.
Extra tips for cheap mobile calls to popular destinations
Finally, we also want to give you some final tips. Hopefully, you got a lot out of this article and read it with a smile because, let’s face it, saving money is always something to be happy about!
1. Handle your phone neatly
If you treat your phone decently, you can sell it later or trade it in for a new one. Those who are frugal have some!
2. Choose the landline a little more often
Did you know it is often cheaper to make calls with a home phone than a mobile phone? So opt for the home phone when you are at home.
3. Visit each other
Our final tip is one with a little wink. We started this article by saying that we live in the digital age, and everyone has a say in it. Calling and FaceTiming are very convenient, but if you want to cut down on your phone costs, you can also just visit each other. Hearty fun and free!
