Frequently Asked Questions

To make an international call, follow these steps:

1. Dial the international exit code (usually "+" on mobile phones or "00" on landlines)
2. Dial the country code for the destination country
3. Dial the area code (if applicable), typically removing any leading zeros
4. Dial the local phone number

For example, to call a number in London, UK (020 7946 0123) from the United States, you would dial: +44 20 7946 0123

Some countries share country codes due to historical, geographical, or political reasons. The most notable example is the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), which uses the country code +1 for multiple countries including the United States, Canada, and many Caribbean nations.

In these cases, the area code that follows the country code helps distinguish the specific country or region. For example:

• +1 212 XXX XXXX (New York, USA)
• +1 416 XXX XXXX (Toronto, Canada)
• +1 876 XXX XXXX (Jamaica)

Other shared country codes include +7 (Russia and Kazakhstan) and +44 (United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland).

Yes, in most cases you need to remove the leading zero from the area code when dialing internationally. Many countries use a leading zero in their domestic dialing format (e.g., 020 XXXX XXXX in the UK or 06 XXXX XXXX in Italy), but when dialing these numbers from abroad, you typically drop this leading zero and use the country code instead.

For example:

• UK number (domestic format): 020 7946 0123
• UK number (international format): +44 20 7946 0123

There are some exceptions to this rule, particularly for countries like Australia where the leading zero is sometimes retained in certain contexts.

The cost of international calls varies widely depending on:

• Your phone service provider
• The country you're calling from
• The country you're calling to
• Whether you're calling a landline or mobile number
• Whether you have an international calling plan

Traditional international calls through standard telephone networks can be expensive, with rates ranging from a few cents to several dollars per minute.

To reduce costs, consider these alternatives:

• International calling plans from your carrier
• Voice over IP (VoIP) services like Skype or Google Voice
• Messaging apps with voice calling features like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal
• Prepaid international calling cards

Always check with your service provider for current rates before making international calls.

Country codes are assigned to entire countries or groups of countries and are used for international dialing. They are typically 1-3 digits long (e.g., +1 for USA, +44 for UK, +86 for China) and are standardized by the International Telecommunication Union.

Area codes (also called city codes, regional codes, or national destination codes) identify specific geographic regions within a country. They follow the country code in international dialing and help route calls to the correct local exchange.

For example, in the number +1 212 555 1234:

• +1 is the country code (United States)
• 212 is the area code (New York City)
• 555-1234 is the local subscriber number

Area codes vary in length depending on the country and its telephone numbering plan.

Calling a mobile phone internationally follows the same basic format as calling any international number, but there may be some differences depending on the country:

1. Dial the international exit code (+ or 00)
2. Dial the country code
3. Dial the mobile prefix (if applicable) and the mobile number

In many countries, mobile numbers have specific prefixes or formats that distinguish them from landlines. For example:

• UK mobile numbers typically start with 07 when dialed domestically, but internationally you'd dial +44 7XXX XXXXXX
• Australian mobile numbers start with 04 domestically, but internationally you'd dial +61 4XX XXX XXX

An international exit code (also called an international access code or international direct dialing code) is a prefix you dial before making an international call. It tells your local telephone network that you want to place a call outside your country.

Common exit codes include:

• 00 - used in most European and many Asian countries
• 011 - used in the United States, Canada, and countries within the North American Numbering Plan
• 0011 - used in Australia

On mobile phones, you can usually use the plus sign (+) instead of the exit code. When you dial a number starting with +, your phone automatically replaces it with the appropriate exit code for your current location.

For example, to call the US from the UK:

• Using the exit code: 00 1 XXX XXX XXXX
• Using the + symbol: +1 XXX XXX XXXX

To determine if you're being charged for international calls and what those charges are:

• Check your calling plan: Review your mobile or landline service plan details to see if it includes international calling or has specific rates for different countries.
• Contact your provider: Call your service provider's customer service or check their website for international calling rates.
• Look for alerts: Some providers send text messages or alerts when you're about to incur international charges.
• Monitor your usage: Use your provider's app or online account to track call charges in real-time.
• Check your bill: Review your phone bill for any international call charges, which are usually itemized separately.

If you're having trouble connecting an international call, try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Double-check the number format:
   • Verify you're using the correct country code
   • Make sure you've included/excluded the leading zero as appropriate
   • Confirm the local number is correct and complete
2. Try alternative dialing methods:
   • If using the + symbol doesn't work, try the specific exit code (00, 011, etc.)
   • If using a landline, try a mobile phone or vice versa
3. Check for service restrictions:
   • Verify your plan allows international calling
   • Check if calls to the specific country are blocked or restricted
   • Ensure you have sufficient credit if using a prepaid service
4. Consider time zones: Make sure you're not calling during very late or early hours at the destination, when phones might be turned off
5. Contact your service provider: They can verify the correct dialing format and check for any network issues

If all else fails, consider alternative contact methods like email, messaging apps, or social media.