How to Dial International Numbers: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re looking to save a little money on phone calls by using International numbers. The first step is to figure out how your current phone plan handles international unlimited calling. If you’re talk-only, then you can avoid regulatory charges. If your phone plan includes other features such as text messaging, in many cases it would come with a charge. As always, it’s best to consult your business phone service providers.
Use VoIP international calling which cuts your international call cost significantly. Best small business phone plans offer low-cost international calling plans and unlimited calling. If you don’t have a landline of your own, then using business phone service providers is even more important. Because it allows you to avoid expensive domestic long-distance fees. The following steps explain how to make international calls on all of the major cellphone carriers.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to dial an international number from any country.
Step 1: Country Code
The first step in dialing an international call is to locate the country code and access the long-distance, domestic, or toll-free number. You need to determine which country the person you are calling is in. This should be in their address or listed on their website.
Step 2: City/Area Code
You will also have to dial the city or area code for the destination you want to call. The area code is two digits long.
If the country code you have dialed on your phone only provides one- or two-digit area codes, you will need to add a “0” to the country code, which will provide a three-digit area code. For example, in Mexico, the country code is 011. The city code for Mexico City is 55. Therefore if a person was located in Mexico City and they were using a number from their business.
Step 3: Local Number
If you are calling a landline from a landline, simply dial the local number and then hang up. If you are calling a cell phone, you will have to key in the local number before dialing ‘9’ (or your country’s international access code) and then ‘0’ (the trunk). This must be done for all international calls from cell phones.
Dialing an international number is to enter the local number you are calling. This can be the phone number of a friend overseas or the ID code for a business you are trying to call in another country.
Bypassing a specific area code if your international phone plan includes it is recommended, but not required. To reduce confusion, you should use the local number to avoid any possible misunderstandings over whether you want to place a call internationally, be connected to another local call, or simply dial a toll-free line.
Step 4: Dialing Sequence
You must also press ‘9’ for all international calls before calling your country’s national operator. If you don’t, your call will not be complete.
After dialing a country’s international calling code and the destination phone number. You will have to complete the call by pressing “Send” or “Dial.” You may press these keys directly on your phone or dial them with the telephone’s number pad. Check with your device’s user manual for specific instructions.
Step 5: Confirm Call Charges
You must press ‘9’ and then ‘0’ again to confirm your international call before it is connected. This is to avoid the unexpected charge of an international long-distance call.
Step 6: Dial and Make the Call
Now that you have entered the number and confirmed that you dialed correctly. Dial the international access code for your country followed by the country code for the destination. Followed by the local number you want to dial, and then press ‘9’ or ‘0’. It is important to press ‘0’ before ‘9’ because of the international access code for your country. It will not be complete without entering. Press ‘0’ only if you want to call another country, and then press ‘9’ again. Your call will connect and you will hear a back-up message from an operator in the destination country.
Step 7: Time Zones
If your native time zone is different from that of the destination country, then you will need to convert your local time to match the destination time zone. It is best that you get the local time for the destination city from the Internet or by using a telephone directory for that city.
If you need to call between countries with different local time zones, make sure to adjust for the time difference using your phone’s time. Most phones have an option for manual or automatic adjustment of time and date.
In many countries, it can be difficult if not impossible to call out of the country from the U.S., Canada, and Australia because these countries have many different area codes. To reduce confusion and unnecessary charges on international calls, you should always use a local phone number in these three countries instead of a toll-free number.
Do not use the international calling code “001” as an emergency contact when calling internationally because it is often used by automated systems throughout the world for other reasons.
This guide only addresses phone numbers and will not cover how to access online contact information for businesses outside of your country. Nonetheless, dialing an international number can be straightforward if you follow the steps provided in this guide.
Conclusion
As you can see, it is possible to make phone calls to international destinations from your regular North American service. Be sure to know the country codes for your destination before you call. In many cases, the company that you’re calling may charge extra for international long-distance calls. Also, remember that VoIP international calling is a great alternative as it cuts your international call costs significantly and it allows you to avoid expensive domestic long-distance fees.
We hope this guide provides you with an easy, step-by-step process to learning how to dial an international number.
The best way to learn is by practicing and using the skills you gain to constantly grow into a well-rounded person. Stay connected with family and friends around the world with the help of the best small business phone plans. Always be prepared to meet new friends in other parts of the world as well.
Published: October 31st, 2023
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