I recently learned how to make free and (almost free calls) to just about anywhere in the world using my cell phone.
I’m not talking about Skype. Even though Skype has mobile apps, the calls are still expensive (especially if you call another mobile phone).
The solution?
A company called Rebtel. Using this company I’m saving 90% of what I used to spend on Skype, and the call quality is superb.
You can use Rebtel to call Singapore and it will cost you just a little more than it would if you were calling San Diego. Nice.
Rebtel: The Pros
1. Super Easy. All I have to do is go on the site and input the names and numbers of the people I call all the time. The system then creates a local number for me to dial and connects me to my loved ones for dirt cheap. If I travel, I just get a local access number for free and the site gives me new local numbers to call my contacts.
2. Apps. Rebtel has apps for the Android and iPhone. This makes it even easier. But it works without a smart phone too.
3. Cheap and Cheaper. My kid can call me for 1.5 cents a minute from her cell to mine. If I call her, for some reason it’s 8.9 cents a minute, but that’s still cheaper than the 12.9 cents Skype was charging me.
4. I can call anybody even if they aren’t signed up with Rebtel.
5. There is also a way to call international cell phones for free.
I can actually talk to my daughter overseas for free if, after I call her, she hangs up and calls me back. To tell you the truth, I still don’t get this feature and why my kid gets compensated to be rude to her father but it works. (By the way, if you travel often, please read “How To Avoid Identity Theft While Traveling.”)
6. The best part: I can even use this service while I travel.
When I travel, the website automatically gives me a local number depending on where I am. In other words, if I am in India, Rebtel gives me a local Indian number to dial if I want to reach my wife’s cell in Los Angeles. If I then go to Vietnam, Rebtel will give me a different number. It will be a local number to dial from Vietnam but I still reach Mrs. Pilgrim in Los Angeles. I love it.
The Cons:
I looked far and wide for something to complain about, and I found it. Calls are rounded to the minute for the first minute, and thereafter they are rounded every six seconds. A small price to pay but OK…if you want to complain…there you go.
You can set up a Rebtel account for free and they’ll pay for your first call. I tried it and loved it, so I deposited $25 with them about a month ago. I still have $15 and change on account. Just to give you an idea, we used to spend over $75 a month on Skype. You can see why this Pilgrim is so jazzed up about this service. Give them a try, but don’t thank me. I’m just doing my job.
Dan W. says
Cool service. Thanks for sharing this. I’ve been scouring the web for Skype alternative and this is the first time I hear about RebTel.
Jacob @ My Personal Finance Journey says
Very cool service! I will keep this in mind. I get one of my friends or family asking me about cheap ways to call people using VoIP about once per year, so this will come in handy!
Neal says
I’m not sure..maybe you can ask them on the help desk?
lene says
Does anybody know if I have to buy credit before I place my firt phone call?
I was wondering if this is the reason why I have tried to use Rebtel to call my family in Brazil for years (since 2007)and it never worked for me.
barbara says
well, i happen to have a tracfone too, i love the fact that i can make international calls at local rates, the general call rates are dirt cheap aswell thanks to the double minutes for life they offer, i have not experienced any troubles yet, get on well with my cheap phone. did not have to pay activation fees, get free411 calls, have great nationwide cover with no dropped calls and could not be happier
Miss T @ Prairie EcoThrifter says
I don’t know if I can get this in Canada. I currently use Yak at a rate of 3.5c a minute.
shiroi neko says
Yes, I was wondering how to save my cell phone bill.
thank
Neal says
RB40,
Let me know how it works out. I think you’ll love it.
retirebyforty says
This is exactly what I need. Thanks for posting it.
I have tracfone and they have a program where I can call international and just pay local rates. I have to call their server and then connect, but I got busy when I dial international the last few times I tried! I’ll try out Rebtel.