Investment Immigration to the United States - What is the cheapest way to call China from the United States? How expensive is it to call China directly from a mobile phone in the United States? Here are three major options for calling from the United States to China, allowing you to compare which method suits you best.
Money-Saving Method One:
Purchase a calling card online
There are many local access numbers available for calling cards online, with corresponding local access numbers for different states and regions. By using these access numbers, 1000 minutes means exactly 1000 minutes. Currently, choosing Pingo is very cost-effective; when you register for Pingo, you receive $5 for every $10 of credit purchased. Originally, calling from the United States to China with Pingo costs only 1.2 cents, and toll-free calls only cost 2.2 cents. With discounts, calling from the United States to China with Pingo costs only 0.80 cents, and toll-free calls are just 1.46 cents. Additionally, Pingo does not require any access fees. Calling on Wednesdays is even more economical, costing only half price.
Generally, a credit card is required for payment, and a PIN number must be dialed. Some PIN-free websites are linked to the phone, which can be a mobile or private phone, but dormitory phones at schools usually do not work because many schools display the same number for all outgoing calls from dorms. You can fill in any number when registering for the phone, or leave it blank.
Money-Saving Method Two:
Using a mobile phone in the United States with a calling card
There are mainly two types of mobile phones in the United States: those with monthly plans and prepaid phones (which are not the same as in China, haha). For the former, the three major companies providing services are Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Verizon requires you to bind its phone, while the latter two can work with just a SIM card, but generally, they also provide a phone. Plans range from $29.99 per month for 400 minutes... all the way up to $79.99 for unlimited domestic calls, with many different options available, including free calls on weekdays at night and free calls between phones of the same company, etc. For details, please refer to the information from each company. By using a specific plan in conjunction with a calling card, you can make calls to China at a lower price while on the go.
Additionally, signing a contract for a plan requires a valid Social Security Number (SSN). Generally, international students under 18 and those who have not applied for work do not have this number. Typically, a deposit of $400 to $500 is required, which will be refunded after one year along with any interest accrued. American telecom companies have a good reputation, so there is no need to worry.
Prepaid phones can generally be purchased at telecom company outlets or supermarkets like Walmart, costing between $9 and $29 for a phone and a SIM card. Essentially, you get a phone with a number, but the communication costs are high: $20 for 60 minutes, $100 for 400 minutes, which is suitable for those who need a phone occasionally but may need it urgently at times.
Money-Saving Method Three:
Using Skype to call landlines
Since dormitory phones cannot make unlimited local calls, the internet has its advantages, and using Skype to call landlines has become an excellent alternative to calling cards. Previously, Skype required you to purchase credits, but it now also offers calling cards or monthly subscriptions. For specifics, check Skype; purchasing requires a credit card and must be done through online banking, similar to Taobao/Dangdang in China, which is different from directly entering a card number when purchasing calling cards on American websites.
It should be noted that you can buy domestic cards without needing international cards, even though the prices are similar. A domestic card means the destination is within the country; using Skype to call China from the United States still uses a “domestic card.”