International Calling Rates Explained
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January 30, 2026
9 min read

International Calling Rates Explained: Why You're Overpaying

Most people pay 5-10x more than they should for international calls. Here's why carriers charge so much, and how to pay what calls actually cost.

The Hidden Cost Problem

You call your family overseas for 10 minutes. Your phone bill shows $15. That's $1.50 per minute - but the actual cost to connect that call? About $0.02 per minute.

You just paid 75 times more than the call actually costs. This isn't an exaggeration - it's the reality of international calling through traditional carriers.

The Shocking Truth:

Most people overpay by 500-1000% on international calls without realizing it. Carriers count on you not knowing what calls actually cost.

Why Carrier Rates Are So High

Traditional phone carriers charge premium rates for international calls because they can. Here's how they justify it:

Legacy Infrastructure Costs

Carriers claim they need to maintain expensive infrastructure. Reality: Modern VoIP technology costs a fraction of traditional systems.

Bundled Service Markup

International calling is bundled with your phone plan, so you can't see the real cost. They hide the markup in your overall bill.

Lack of Competition

Most people don't shop around for international calling. Carriers know this and price accordingly.

Profit Maximization

International calls are a high-margin product. Why charge $0.05/min when people will pay $1.50/min?

Hidden Fees You're Probably Paying

The per-minute rate is just the beginning. Here are the hidden fees that inflate your bill:

Common Hidden Fees:

Connection Fee$0.49 - $2.99 per call
International Access Fee$5.99 - $15/month
Regulatory Recovery Fee$1.99 - $3.99/month
Minimum Call DurationBilled for 3-5 min minimum

What International Calls Actually Cost

The wholesale cost of international calls - what it actually costs to connect your call - is surprisingly low:

India

$0.02/min

Actual wholesale cost

Mexico

$0.03/min

Actual wholesale cost

UK

$0.06/min

Actual wholesale cost

These are the rates that calling services pay to connect calls. Services like Comza add a small markup for service and support, but still charge 5-10x less than traditional carriers.

Price Comparison: The Shocking Truth

Let's compare what you pay vs what you should pay for a 30-minute call to India:

ProviderPer Minute30 Min CallHidden FeesTotal Cost
AT&T$3.00$90.00$15.99/mo$105.99
Verizon$2.49$74.70$10.00/mo$84.70
T-Mobile$1.99$59.70$5.00/mo$64.70
Comza$0.02$0.60$0$0.60

đź’° Your Savings with Comza:

Save $105.39 on a single 30-minute call. That's a 99.4% savings.

How to Stop Overpaying

Stopping the overpayment is simple - switch to a dedicated international calling service:

Use Browser-Based Calling

Services like Comza connect calls at near-wholesale rates. No carrier markup, no hidden fees.

Pay Per Minute Only

No monthly fees, no connection charges, no minimums. Pay only for the minutes you actually use.

Check Rates Before Calling

Transparent pricing means you know exactly what you'll pay before making the call.

No Contracts or Commitments

Add credits when you need them. No monthly bills, no surprise charges.

Calculate Your Savings

Example: Monthly International Calling

Traditional Carrier (100 minutes/month)

$150 - $300/month

Comza (100 minutes/month)

$2 - $10/month

Annual Savings

$1,680 - $3,480

Start Saving Today

You now know the truth: international calls cost pennies, but carriers charge dollars. The markup is real, and it's costing you hundreds or thousands per year.

The solution is simple: stop using your carrier for international calls. Switch to a service that charges fair rates based on actual costs, not inflated carrier markups.

Your first call with Comza is free. See the difference for yourself - no credit card required.

Stop Overpaying for International Calls

Try Comza and see how much you can save. Transparent pricing, no hidden fees, no contracts.

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