The cell phone and Smartphone industry in the Philippines is a thriving and growing business. The number of people owning a cell phone has jumped from 14.8 million in 2013 to 27.5 million in 2016. That’s a lot of people. It puts the Philippines as the third largest cell phone user in Southeast Asia. The trend is forecast to increase to 38.4 million users by the year 2020.
Most Filipinos would love to hear from their relatives or friends from the US. There's just so much to tell and burning the lines would be one helluva understatement if you are to make an international call to the Philippines. This is because the Philippines is one of the most eventful places in the world right now. See the news to prove this.
Placing an international call could be a very wallet-pinching endeavor. But this should not always be the case. There are numerous ways to make a long distance call, especially if the destination of your call is the Pearl of the Orient, the Philippines.
Here is a rundown of suggestions on how to make that international call to the Philippines without shelling out much of your hard-earned dollars.
1. Be careful when buying call cards.
Several prepaid phone cards have hidden charges. There could be a connection fee that could be almost tantamount to getting ripped off especially when the card buyer makes a call and either the call is routed to a voice mailbox or to an answering machine. Connection fee deduction is automatically done even when the caller did not say anything yet.
Other phone card hidden charges include service fee, maintenance fee, access number and long talking fee. The expiration date should also be checked.
2. Know what type of phone will receive your call.
It won't be advisable to make a long distance call to any mobile device. This is because most of the overseas carriers implement the "calling party pays" system. The tariff rate of an international wireless phone could be a lot higher compared to a call made to a land-line in the same country.
3. Say no to a telephone operator.
When you choose to be assisted by a telephone operator when placing an international call, you choose to pay considerably more. Whenever possible opt to use a dial-around service or dial direct.
4. Sign up to a prepaid long distance plan.
Various carriers offer this kind of service to those who frequently place long distance calls. Opt for those with flexible programs. These plans work like phone cards but do not have fees and charges associated with prepaid phone cards. They usually have very low domestic and international rates 24/7 and call quality is usually excellent. One more thing about these prepaid plans is the convenience of being able to use them when placing calls from any telephones be it cell phones or public phones.
5. Calling during non-business days or off-peak time will help you save.
Make the most out of these privileges by checking on what your carrier offers. Just make sure that it won't be too much of an inconvenience to the recipient of your call.
6. Bad connections should be noted.
Bad connections happen and the Philippines is not an exception to this nuisance. When this happens, take note of the time and the number you called. Prepaid calling cards rarely give you credit for bad connections. But if you made an international call using a standard long distance carrier, or prepaid long distance plans, better check if you could be given credit for that call. They always do.
It would help if you print this info to be always reminded of the Do's and Don't's when it comes to making an international call.
With these simple tips, you don't have to worry when your phone bill arrives.
Finally, here's the step-by-step process in calling the Philippines.
a. Dial 011, which is the international code
b. Then, key in the Philippines' country code, which is 63.
c. Now, dial the city area code where your wife and kids are.
Easy and Breezy Ways to Send Load to the Philippines!
The Philippines, as the independent island country in the Southeast Asia, has one of the largest numbers of prepaid mobile users. People of different age and interest use their phone credit for texting and calling within their country and overseas because of various reasons. For a lot of individuals, a stable and reliable phone call connection represents a source of living. In this modern world, many successful businesses rely on clear and stable phone communication.
The Cell Phone Industry in the Philippines
The Philippines has one of the largest mobile phone using populations in the world.
