International Calling Rates Explained: Why $0.02/min Is a Great Deal
If you've ever tried to make a call abroad, you’ve probably run into one of two problems: either you paid way more than expected, or you were confused by the fine print. In 2025, understanding international calling rates is more important than ever. With global families, remote work, and online businesses on the rise, millions of people are making cross-border calls daily. But what should you actually be paying? In this guide, we’ll explain: What international calling rates really are Why most carriers still charge too much How some providers (like ZenCall) offer $0.02/min rates What affects pricing And how you can make smarter decisions going forward Let’s make sense of the numbers—and save you some money. What Are International Calling Rates? International calling rates refer to the per-minute charges applied when you make a phone call from one country to another. These rates depend on: The countries involved Whether you’re calling a landline or mobile number The service or platform you're using (carrier, app, VoIP) Extra fees or taxes baked into the total cost The problem? Most companies don’t show you the full picture. Their advertised rates might look low but often exclude: Connection fees (a flat fee just to start the call) Billing increments (calls rounded up to the next minute) Monthly subscriptions or plans Roaming charges if using mobile abroad Traditional Carriers vs. VoIP: A Huge Price Gap Most mobile carriers and landline providers still operate on outdated pricing models. Let’s compare: Provider Avg. International Rate Hidden Fees Contract Required Mobile/Landline Support Verizon, AT&T, etc. $1.00–$3.00/min Yes Often Yes Skype Out $0.10–$0.30/min Sometimes No Yes Phone Cards $0.05–$0.50/min Often No Yes ZenCall (VoIP) $0.02/min None No Yes This isn’t just about pennies per minute. If you make 300 minutes of international calls per month: With a carrier: ~$300+ With ZenCall: $6.00 That’s a 50x difference in cost—and ZenCall still delivers clear, reliable voice quality. Why Are Carrier Rates Still So Expensive? The answer is simple: infrastructure, middlemen, and profit margins. 1. Old Telecom Infrastructure Carriers still route calls through older telecom networks that incur higher costs. These costs are passed onto the user—even when using Wi-Fi. 2. Third-Party Routing Calls may be handed off between multiple telecom partners in different countries, each adding a small fee. 3. Roaming Surcharges If you're using a mobile phone abroad, even incoming calls can trigger high roaming charges. Outbound calls can skyrocket without warning. 4. Lack of Transparency Many providers obscure real costs with “bundles” or postpaid charges. You won’t see the true rate until the bill arrives. What Makes $0.02/min So Cheap (and Possible)? Providers like ZenCall use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology, which routes calls through the internet instead of legacy telephone infrastructure. VoIP drastically reduces the cost of making international calls because: It doesn’t rely on physical phone lines or satellites There are no roaming fees It can operate efficiently at scale It connects directly to local termination providers in each country By optimizing the network and cutting out middlemen, ZenCall passes the savings to users—offering flat rates as low as $0.02/min for many destinations. What Affects International Calling Rates? Even with VoIP providers, not all calls cost the same. Here’s what can influence the price: 📞 Destination Country Countries with strict telecom regulation or higher termination fees (e.g., Cuba, Somalia) cost more. Calling the UK or Nigeria is typically much cheaper. 📱 Type of Number Landlines are often cheaper than mobile numbers Premium numbers (starting with 900, etc.) may be blocked or charged higher 🌐 Your Connection Type While VoIP itself is low-cost, your internet connection quality can impact the clarity and reliability of the call. 💳 Payment Model Some apps offer a lower base rate but charge: Connection fees Minimum usage requirements Expiring credits Monthly fees ZenCall offers a pay-as-you-go model: no subscription, no expiry, just low per-minute pricing. A Real-World Example: Calling Abroad Let’s say you live in Canada and need to make daily calls to Nigeria for work. 15 minutes per day × 30 days = 450 minutes/month With a traditional carrier at $1.00/min = $450/month With ZenCall at $0.02/min = $9.00/month That’s $441 in monthly savings—for the same or better audio quality. How to Check and Compare Rates Before you make a call, always check the provider’s rate sheet. On ZenCall, it’s easy: Go to zencall.so/rates Enter your destination country See the exact per-minute price—landline and mobile are listed separately No surprises later Other tips: Look for fees marked with “+ connection fee” or “rounded to 3 minutes” Avoid services that require monthly subscriptions unless you’re a heavy caller Try to use Wi-Fi instead of cellular data while on VoIP How to Start Using ZenCall for International Calls ZenCall makes it incredibly easy to start calling abroad: Sign up for free – Create an account in seconds Add call credit – Start with as little as $5 Dial from your browser – No app, no download required Enjoy clear international calls at $0.02/min – That’s it! Whether you're calling Nigeria, India, the UK, Colombia, or the Philippines, the process is the same. When Is $0.02/Min Not a Good Deal? It’s important to be honest—no rate is one-size-fits-all. A $0.02/min rate is unbeatable for most international calls, but you may want alternatives if: You only call one country, and a niche app offers free app-to-app calls You need group video calling (ZenCall is voice-only) You’re calling premium or toll numbers For 99% of real-world use—calling friends, family, or business partners on mobile or landlines—$0.02/min is an industry-low rate without the fine print. Why Flat Rates Matter Most traditional systems use a confusing combination of: Per-minute charges Connection fees Peak/off-peak pricing Country groups Flat-rate providers eliminate this complexity. With ZenCall: $0.02/min to Nigeria $0.02/min to Colombia $0.02/min to India No guesswork, just results Final Thoughts: Don’t Overpay to Stay Connected The global economy is more interconnected than ever. Whether you’re calling relatives, freelancers, business contacts, or long-distance partners, it shouldn't cost more than a coffee to stay in touch. Understanding international calling rates gives you power: Power to avoid scams and hidden fees Power to switch to smarter platforms Power to stay connected globally—without going broke In 2025, there's no reason to settle for $1/minute calls or unreliable "free" apps. For reliable service, real phone numbers, and crystal-clear quality, $0.02/min is a deal that makes sense. Try ZenCall today and experience transparent international calling like never before. 🌍 Make your first international call