When shopping for a phone service provider that provides long distance service, there are a variety of options, and it can be tricky to determine the best solution for your particular needs. With hundreds of long-distance companies and countless calling plans, it pays to shop around.

Two options for long distance service that have gained significant popularity over the last several years are Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and international prepaid phone cards. Both deliver quality service, but there are distinct differences between the two that are worth comparing.

International Prepaid Phone Cards

Commonly used by students and travelers, international prepaid phone cards offer a convenient way to make calls while away from home. Calling card users benefit from 24/7 coverage and the ability to make prepaid phone calls from both pay and regular phones.    

There are plenty of international prepaid phone cards available to consumers, and rates, prices, and services can vary dramatically. To take full advantage of the benefits of prepaid phone cards, it’s essential to choose one that works well with your particular needs. When considering purchasing a prepaid card, you should consider the following questions:

• What is the cost per minute of the card? (This can vary from country to country.)
• Is there a sign up fee?
• Is there a direct number for customer service if I need assistance with the card?
• How reputable is the company?
• How many minutes is the calling card worth?
• Is there an expiration date on minutes purchased?
• Is there any monthly fee?
• Can the calling card be reloaded with minutes?

While international prepaid phone cards are convenient and sometimes affordable, they are not problem-free. In fact, many consumers have experience a number of problems with them including:

• Providers going out of business leaving customers with unused minutes and without being reimbursed
• Access numbers of personal identification numbers not working
• Toll-free access numbers frequently busy preventing the use of the card
• Hidden connection charges added to the card
• Poor connections
• Higher per minute rates than other international calling options

Although phone cards are by no means a perfect solution for long distance calling, they are considered to be a smart solution for individuals such as students, international travelers, and migratory workers who need flexibility and convenience to call home.

VoIP – An Alternative to Calling Cards

There is an alternative to prepaid calling cards that is rapidly growing in popularity because of its affordability, flexibility, and quality. It’s VoIP. This innovative technology enables users to take advantage of unlimited, free international calling along with a variety of value-added features that calling cards simply don’t provide.

VoIP works similar to a phone line, but instead of the line being plugged into the wall, it runs through an internet connection. By simply downloading VoIP software from a provider to your PC, you can literally call anyone, almost anywhere in the world for free. Calls can be made from a telephone linked to the Internet, a USB phone, or with a headset attached to a computer. If your computer already has a built-in microphone and speakers, you won’t need any additional equipment at all.

VoIP offers a variety of calling capabilities including PC-to-PC calls, PC-to-phone calls, and PC-to-mobile phone calls. To make calls, you just start the program on your computer and enter the phone number that you want to call. The call will be connected just like a landline or mobile phone call, but you’ll be able to talk for as long as you’d like without having to worry about expensive long distance charges. And, the connection quality is crystal clear.

Some VoIP service providers offer additional bundled features that can add even more value to your long distance communications. Instant messaging with presence is one of the most widely available of these tools. This feature notifies your friends, family, and business associates of your availability with a presence indicator and allows unlimited text messaging for free.

Another popular tool is multi-user voice conferencing that enables up to five people to communicate simultaneously. This is particularly useful for both personal and business applications.

Like with international prepaid phone calls, it’s important to do your homework before choosing a VoIP service provider. They do not all offer the same services or level of quality. When doing a comparison, you will want to look at the following:

Calling Options – You will want to choose a VoIP provider that offers flexibility in who you can call. Look for one that gives you the ability to call landlines and mobile phones, as well as PCs.

Pricing – Most providers offer free calling to certain countries but charge for other global destinations. Several of the industry leaders such as MediaRing Talk actually provide unlimited free PC-to-PC calling to anywhere in the world as long as both parties are using their service.

Features – Not all providers offer additional value-added services. If you want to take advantage of tools like instant messaging with presence and voice conferencing, you’ll need to look for a full-service provider.

Reputation – In general, the VoIP providers that are the most established and have been around the longest provide the most comprehensive, high quality service. They’ve invested in developing the robustness of their technology and have the most extensive distribution network. They will also deliver the highest sound quality.

Looking to the Future

There is no doubt that VoIP is changing the landscape of the overall communications industry. Businesses and consumers alike are reaping the benefits of the cost savings and innovative features that the technology offers. The newest frontier for VoIP applications will undoubtedly be in the wireless world. Dual mode cellular/voice over WiFi enabled handsets are becoming increasingly available, and VoIP service providers are positioning themselves to add wireless service to their existing offerings. These advances will ultimately benefit consumers who will soon be able to affordably and efficiently manage their communications from a single handheld device.

With promising new advances in communication technology, calling internationally will increasingly become something that is widely available and free to anyone. While there will continue to be a need for calling cards for some individuals, VoIP is becoming the preferred choice for a growing number of international callers.