Making calls to friends, family, or colleagues in other countries is essential for many people in the United States. If you’re a Verizon customer, the international calling Verizon service allows you to place calls from the US to phone numbers around the globe using your existing Verizon line. Understanding how this service works, the associated costs, and available plans can help you stay connected affordably.
What is International Calling Verizon?
Simply put, international calling Verizon refers to the capability provided by Verizon for its US-based customers to initiate and connect calls to telephone numbers located outside the United States.
It’s important to distinguish this from international roaming. International calling is when you are in the US calling out to another country. International roaming involves using your Verizon phone while you are physically located outside the US, which is covered by separate plans like TravelPass or the International Monthly Plan.
The Standard Way: Pay-Per-Minute International Calling Verizon
By default, if you do not subscribe to a specific international calling add-on or feature, international calling Verizon is billed on a pay-per-minute basis.
The rate you pay per minute varies significantly depending on the country you are calling. Calls to mobile numbers within a country might also have different rates than calls to landlines. Because these rates can differ greatly and are subject to change, it’s crucial to check the specific cost before making your call.
How to Check Rates: You can find the current pay-per-minute rates for international calling Verizon by visiting the international calling section on the official Verizon website. They provide a tool where you can enter the destination country to see the applicable per-minute charge.
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Cost-Saving Plans for International Calling Verizon
If you make international calls frequently, relying solely on pay-per-minute rates can become expensive. Verizon offers several monthly add-on plans designed to provide better value:
Check Your Base Plan First!
Many current Verizon Unlimited mobile plans (like Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, Unlimited Ultimate) already include unlimited calling from the US to Mexico and Canada at no additional charge. If your plan includes this, you likely don’t need a separate add-on just for calls to these two countries.
International Calling Add-on Plans:
- Global Calling ($5/month per line):
- Offers unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada (useful if not included in your base plan).
- Provides discounted calling rates (starting as low as $0.05/minute) to over 220 countries worldwide.
- Global Calling Plus ($15/month per line):
- Includes unlimited calling from the US to landline numbers in over 60 countries and mobile numbers in over 30 countries (this includes Mexico and Canada).
- Offers discounted calling rates to over 160 additional countries.
- Global Choice ($10/month per line):
- Allows you to select one country from a list of over 140 eligible nations.
- Provides a monthly bundle of minutes (up to 300, amount varies by selected country) for calls to that specific country. Calls beyond the allowance are charged at a discounted rate.
- Also includes unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada and discounted rates to over 220 other countries.
Managing Your International Calling Verizon Features
- Finding Specific Rates: Always use the online tool on Verizon’s international calling page to confirm the pay-per-minute rate or the discounted rate applicable under a specific plan for the country you wish to call.
- Adding/Removing Plans: You can easily add or remove plans like Global Calling Plus or Global Choice through your My Verizon account online or via the My Verizon app, typically found in the “Add-ons” or “International” sections. Alternatively, you can call Verizon customer service for assistance.
How to Make an International Call with Verizon
To place a direct international call from your Verizon phone while in the US, you generally dial:
011 (the US exit code) + Country Code + City/Area Code (if applicable) + Local Phone Number
Conclusion: Choose Wisely for Your International Calling Verizon Needs
Verizon provides the capability to call internationally, either on a pay-per-minute basis or through value-oriented monthly plans. By checking if calls to Mexico and Canada are already included in your base plan, using the online tool to find specific country rates, and comparing the available add-on plans (Global Calling, Global Calling Plus, Global Choice) based on your calling habits, you can choose the most cost-effective international calling Verizon option to stay in touch with people around the world.
