How to Save Money on Mobile Phone Calls

Cellular phone bills can get extremely high--particularly if you talk on the phone a lot. Some smart phones allow you to reduce this expense by connecting to Wi-Fi networks and making calls through them but not all of us can afford the initial expense (or outrageous fees) associated with these devices.

There is an alternative that anyone with a laptop can use. Mobile Broadband is an internet service provided by cell phone companies that allows you to access the Internet while on the go. This service utilizes a special modem that is designed to connect to the cell phone network with speeds comparable to DSL or Cable (depending upon signal strength and location). The addition of a simple device will allow you to make and receive phone calls through this network for free (not including your mobile broadband fee).

MagicJack is a device about the size of a small pack of matches that allows you to make and receive phone calls through any high-speed internet connection. This device only needs internet upload/download speeds of 128 kbps, and so will work on the majority of mobile broadband internet connections. This device costs $40 for the initial device and one year of service and $20 a year to continue service after that.

To use the MagicJack device with your wireless broadband internet, connect to the internet using your wireless broadband modem. Once you are connected, plug in your MagicJack. If it is the first time you are using the device, your MagicJack will download any necessary drivers and ask you a few questions before starting. Once the device has started, you can either connect a landline phone to the MagicJack or you can use a headset to make and receive phone calls.

All calls made in the United States or to another MagicJack device in the world are free, while international calls to a non-MagicJack device can be made for a small per-minute fee. International calls are paid on a prepaid basis through the MagicJack website.

Google now allows you to make and receive phone calls through their Gmail interface (currently available through Dec. 2011). To use this service you will need to sign up for a Google Voice number, but this number will not only allow you to make and receive phone calls but text messages as well. To use this service you will need to open your Gmail account and keep it open to make and receive calls. To the left of the Gmail interface is the link to use the phone to call others. A small window will appear with a keypad that you can use to make and receive calls.

Currently all calls made to numbers in the United States are free, and Google even offers number porting in some situations. International calls have a per-minute rate and are prepaid, similar to the MagicJack service. For more information about Google Voice you can visit this page.

Skype is another service that you can use to make and receive calls through your mobile broadband connection. This is a service that you can use to call other Skype users for free, or to call non-Skype users for a small charge. This charge can range from per-minute for infrequent use, to monthly fees starting at $2.99 a month. The benefit of this service is that they have monthly plans that allow you to call other countries for a flat rate--a significant savings if you make a lot of international calls. Like Google Voice, you will need a headset to make and receive calls.

By using a laptop computer, you can use one of these services to have affordable phone service while on the go using your mobile broadband connection, and some providers like Virgin Mobile offer unlimited internet for a flat prepaid rate. Combined with the proper phone or headset, you could even use these services in your car instead of a traditional cell phone and reduce or eliminate your cell phone plan entirely!

By using creative methods you can save money on essential services without depriving yourself of something you need and use, and in this mobile society having access to inexpensive phone service is a must. By making your mobile broadband internet connection do double duty as an inexpensive VOIP phone you will shave even more money off of your budget.

NOTE: To save even more money use public Wi-Fi hot spots with these services instead of a mobile broadband connection. You won't have an "always on" connection, but it is much cheaper than paying for mobile broadband internet.

Source:
Personal Experience.