Forget Reliance India Call 🙂 use http://www.localphone.com
I just found this service, which is way cheaper and better service than reliance. Basically, how it works is:
- You register for this site and prefill some money
- You register the numbers you want to call in India (or any country) (as many as you want I think)
- You register your cell phone number with them (for authenticating)
- They will give you a LOCAL 408 area code number that automatically forwards to the number in India. You call this number from your cell and it will feel as if you are calling any US number
- The cost is 3.9 cents a min. No service fee, connection fee or any other nakhra, 1 min rounding.
PS – if you don’t want the benefits of a local number, you can also use this service just as a normal calling card. They provide a 1-800 number.
I have been using them for a few days now, and I find the service amazing…try it out. My parents are using it too now.
http://www.localphone.com
Even though I am asking you to use my referral link, I would recommend this service whether I was getting a referral or not…I really find it works well and is way cheaper than Reliance.
Nimit
Cool. Cheap is always good. Thanks Nimit. Will try it out.
Cheap is good.. How about free??
Google Talk has free international calling PC to Phone. It is not working US to India but works India to US. Voice quality is very clear.
1) Install GTalk
2) Add the contact to ur Gtalk, with international code…..such as if number in US is 213-213-2345 then add it as 12132132345@talkster.gtalk2voip.com
3) Then call.
4) Initial call is for 10sec. Local number is provided for receiving party.
5) Receiving person calls back using local number.
Now talk as much u want.
Local number provided is fixed per contact hence one can save it in address book for redial later.
Same for UK.
408 feature seems cool. So do they give a 408 number for every no. you wanna call to India?
BTW Airtell has a promotion going on currently which has a net effective rate of 3.8 cents a min as well.
https://www.airtelcallhome.com/
Even reliance has local number facility,that gives 1 cent cheaper than 1800 number. Also my friend suggested http://www.reliablecom.com. If you prefill on thursday the call rate is 1.9c/min, rounding is 3 minutes. But if you wanna talk long,then it can be a good bargain. Though need to try for voice quality & for any hidden cost.
MagicJack.com – the devices are available in Radioshack for 30 bucks or online. The India folks need to have PC and internet connection but it gives them a feel of using the home telephone instrument to call US.
Tariff:
30 bucks for first year unlimited with the USB device
10-20 bucks second year onwards (not sure)
I thought this was the best one after reviewing a bunch of options, here are some of my thoughts:
– Anything with google talk is free and always preferable, but when you want to call a phone, then you can use this.
– Yes, they give a separate 408 number for every number you put in there. I have only put two numbers so I don’t know what limit there is, but I’m guessing you can at least put 10-20.
– The one downside I noticed to ReliableCom’s cheaper offerings is that they don’t have speed-dial included. So you actually have to dial the number every time you call. Not a huge problem — but still can be annoying.
Nimit
My friend is using magicjack in india. But the problem is you can only call either way when the PC is on & connected to the internet. Internet speed should be also very fast.