How to Make Cheap International Calls Over the Internet with an eSIM

International calling has gone through a revolution. 

There was a time when a series of operators would pass and accept requests until the recipient was connected. 

Fast forward to today, and you can connect to a person anywhere in the world just by making a few taps! 

And this has received another upgrade: making an international call over the internet. 

So what is this all about? 

Let’s find out! 

Why Do People Make International Calls Over the Internet?

First, let’s find out the why before we dive into the how. 

You may have to make an international call for various reasons. 

Maybe you’re an international student in Belgium who’d like to keep in touch with your family back home. 

Or you’re a freelancer who has a lot of clients outside Belgium. 

Or maybe you made a new friend in another country and want to talk to them. 

These are some of the countless reasons why people make international calls. 

And they choose the internet as a medium for two reasons. 

• It’s convenient 
• It’s cheap 

You can make an international call over the internet using a third-party app. 

And these calls are free because they consume a part of your monthly data allocation. But this can vary based on the type of call. Voice calls consume less data when compared to video calls. 

All you need is a VoIP app (like WhatsApp or Messenger) and a stable internet connection. 

With these apps, you can make/receive international calls as long as you’re connected to the internet. 

How to Call an International Number Through the Internet

The process isn’t very complicated. 

First, you’ll have to choose a VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) app. There are tons of options you can choose from. The most common ones are WhatsApp, Messenger, FaceTime, Signal, and Telegram. Do your research and pick one. 

Next, ask the recipient to install the same app. We’re still far away from a reality where cross-app calling exists. 

Now, you’ll have to save the recipient’s number. Enter the correct country code and the recipient’s number. If the number starts with a “0,” omit it. 

Once the contact has been saved, you’re free to make/receive any number of voice/video calls. 

An important thing to note is that you cannot use these apps to call landline numbers. 

The Best Mobile Plans to Make Cheap International Calls

Now that you know how to make an international call over the internet, let’s now focus on the data plans that can help you. 

We’ve already said that you will need a stable internet connection to make an international call using a VoIP app. 

And if you’re someone who makes a lot of video calls, then you’re going to drain your monthly data allocation pretty quickly. 

This is why choosing a mobile plan with high data is recommended. 

Fortunately, Lyca Mobile has three awesome high-data deals at affordable prices. Here are the details. 

The SIMs/eSIMs have to be registered before you activate and start using them. Visit the SIM Registration page to initiate the process. You’ll need a valid ID and the details of your Lyca Mobile SIM/eSIM to complete the registration process. 

Points to Consider

As convenient as it sounds, there are some issues related to making an international call over the internet. 

The first one is data consumption. Voice calls consume roughly 30 MB per hour, and video calls use approximately 240 MB per hour. This means that for each month, you’ll have to set aside a minimum of 10 GB for VoIP calling. This number can go up if the calls extend over an hour. So make sure to pick a mobile plan that has sufficient data to meet your monthly internet needs, including calling using VoIP apps. 

Call quality is another issue. If your internet connection is dodgy, then your call quality is going to take a hit. 

Battery consumption is also a concern. Long hours of VoIP calls can drain your smartphone’s battery faster than you think. 

Also, connectivity is going to be problematic if you or the recipient is outside the network coverage area. 

Final Thoughts 

The main reason why many prefer to make international calls over the internet is because of the high costs involved with traditional international calling. 

With VoIP calling, you can talk to your heart’s content with just a stable internet connection and a third-party app. 

Lyca Mobile has the ideal prepaid plans for this. The three offerings come with plenty of data allocation for streaming your favorite content, surfing the internet, and downloading as much content as you want. And, not to forget, video calling. 

Select plans also come with international minutes. So you can switch between traditional and VoIP calling as and when required. 

You can also bring your current number to Lyca Mobile. Switch to Lyca Mobile and enjoy national and international benefits at attractive prices!