Cheap international phone calls from Switzerland: how it works
There are different ways to travel abroad. This also applies to telephone calls. Comparis shows how you can make cheap calls to the EU and abroad.
11.05.2023
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1. How can I make cheap international calls with an app?
Numerous smartphone apps enable telephony and video calling. The advantage: you only pay for the data volume used. A possible disadvantage is that all conversation participants must use the same application and have access to the internet.
For telephony abroad via app, this means apart from the cost of using the internet, you pay nothing.
What call apps are available?
Whatsapp is probably the best-known app that allows telephony and video telephony via the internet. In addition, there are numerous Whatsapp alternatives such as Signal, Telegram, Threema, Google Meet or Facetime.
How do I keep the costs as low as possible?
Do you surf with your smartphone at home via Wi-Fi? If so, you will not incur any additional costs for the use of telephony apps in addition to your internet plan.
If you use telephony apps on the go, you need a mobile phone subscription plan or a prepaid plan. Often it is worth choosing a data package or a subscription with a flat rate for internet usage.
2. Are there prepaid cards to make calls abroad?
If you regularly make calls abroad, there are special prepaid offers. Depending on the prepaid card chosen, you can thus make calls to the EU and other countries at attractive conditions. The advantage: with a prepaid card, you have full cost control and remain flexible.
One of the following usually applies:
You can call abroad at a discounted rate.
You will receive a certain number of free minutes for international calls after paying a prepaid amount.
After paying a prepaid amount for a certain period, you will receive unlimited free minutes for calls abroad.
Well-known providers for prepaid international telephony include Yallo, Lebara, Mucho and Aldi Mobile.
3. When is it worth getting a plan for telephony abroad?
Frequent users usually prefer a subscription for calls abroad. These offers cost more than other plans, but include discounted minute rates, free minutes or flat rates for international calls.
This can be worthwhile if you call regularly and throughout the year abroad. However, with a subscription abroad, you are usually bound to a provider for several months or even years.
Find out how much you already have
Do you already have a mobile phone subscription? In addition to the subscription, you can often buy a voucher for call minutes for international calls at advantageous conditions. Especially if you only make a moderate number of international calls, this option is more worthwhile.
4. Who pays – the caller or the person called?
The rule is simple: everyone pays for what they use. This also applies to international calls: call someone abroad, pay for the connection. If someone calls you from abroad, you pay nothing.
This does not apply to calls where you are abroad: then you usually incur roaming charges – even if you answer a call.
If you make phone calls online via an app, you only pay for the internet connection.
5. International telephony: which offer is right for me?
Which option is worthwhile for you depends on your usage behaviour and your preferences:
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| International telephony with app | You only pay for internet use. Most apps also offer video calling. Most apps allow you to make calls with more than two people. With an internet connection, you can make calls abroad at no extra cost. | Call quality is limited depending on your internet connection and app. Participants must use the same app. |
| Prepaid card for international telephony | You are flexible and not tied to a provider. You decide yourself when you want to top up your credit. | You usually need to manually top up a prepaid account. If you have used up your balance, you will not be able to make a phone call. |
| Plans for international telephony | You benefit from special conditions for international calls with a fixed monthly rate. | You are tied to a provider for several months or years. |
This article was first published on 11.08.2014
