The Grim State of Overseas Calling

Now there are free and low-cost Internet telephony alternatives such as Skype. But I cannot recommend them for business-class calling. Quality is still unstable, in my experience. And while local calling on a landline is still cheap, that is no slam dunk in Europe, even in better hotels. Quality is shaky and getting an open landline outside of a working office can be a hassle.

And though there are some steps you can take to protect yourself, you probably should do like I do, bite the bullet and get a phone here before you go. Being out of touch these days is simply not an option.

Dial T for Tips

A few words to the international-calling wise: Before leaving, be sure to call your carrier and ask about foreign calling deals. I got a nice discount just by calling and being nice about it. Either way, be sure you know your minutes, your plan and where you can and cannot make and take calls. And don't get sucked in by internationals who chat on their mobiles all day and all night. Budgeting you and your employee's calling is your only defense. So plan ahead.

But don't be afraid to nickel and dime: Borrow the phone of a local business or friend. Telephony usage for most businesses and residences is very reasonable, both wired and wireless, so they won't feel nearly the burn you will. And payback with dinner is a nice way to stay friends.

Also, be very careful about calling from country to country on a mobile phone. The cost of those calls is essentially unknowable until you get the bill three months later. And here, the sky is the limit in terms of cost. I've seen nearly $10 a minute for some calls. And don't be fooled into thinking texting is cheap. You will be charged per text message, and fees can vary widely. Fifty cents per hit is not unheard of; but that can get much higher faster, depending on the call specifics.