How does it work?
Since you are not allowed to choose an alternative long distance provider for direct-dialed calls from your cellphone, you have to dial our access number before every call.
Since most cellphone plans will deduct minutes from your allowance whether you call a toll-free access number or a long-distance access number, we recommend using our cellphone specific access number, which will save you 1¢ per minute on our international rates compared to our toll-free access number!
The following tips will make your calls even easier:
- TIP 1: Program the access number into the directory of your cellphone and label it something like "International." Now, whenever you want to place an international call, just hit that directory entry, and when you hear the announcement, go ahead and dial your call!
- TIP 2: If you already have international numbers programmed in your phonebook, edit each entry and add the format "xxxPP" where xxx is the access number right in front of each number. "P" means a pause, and can usually be inserted by looking in a "special characters" menu, or by pressing the * key for several seconds. We recommend inserting two (2) pauses, so that your phone will wait for the announcement before dialing the next digits. If you also insert a # at the very end of the international phone number, this will speed up the connection of the call. When you now call those entries, your cellphone will automatically dial through our network, and you will be charged at our lower rates without any hassle. Almost like direct dialing!
- TIP 3: It is very important NOT to press the "SEND" key on your phone after dialing your international call, otherwise your phone will send the call back to your wireless carrier and you will be charged at your wireless carrier's much higher rates!
- TIP 4: We recommend that you ask your provider to block direct international calls from your cellphone if you never intend to make international calls at your cellphone provider's rates. This will ensure that no international calls can mistakenly be dialed with your cellphone provider and will prevent any surprises in case our instructions are not properly followed.
- TIP 5: We recommend not to use this service while travelling abroad with your cellphone as your cellphone provider will charge you expensive roaming charges when you use our access number from abroad. Use this service to call international from your cellphone especially when you are in the US.
- TIP 6: When in doubt, please check with your cellphone provider before dialing our access numbers. When calling from outside of your calling area (depending on the calling area defined by your cellphone provider), your cellphone provider might charge you roaming charges for your calls to our access numbers.
The following surcharges apply depending on the location of your cellphone (PLEASE read TIP 4 & 5):
- USA - Alaska: 15¢/min
- USA - Hawaii: No surcharge
- Canada: 5¢/min
- Puerto Rico: 10¢/min
- US Virgin Islands: 10¢/min
Some local telephone companies or cable companies will include unlimited domestic long-distance calls into your landline plan. If you still want to place international calls at telna's low international rates, but without switching your domestic long distance to telna's direct dialed long distance service, we recommend using our international dial-around service to place your international calls through telna.
If your landline plan includes unlimited domestic long-distance calls, we recommend using our cellphone specific access number, which will save you 1¢ per minute on our international rates compared to our toll-free access number! Otherwise you may use our toll-free access number and will not be charged for the call to the access-number by your landline provider.
The following tips will make your calls even easier:
- TIP 1: Program the access number into a speed dial memory of your phone. Now, whenever you want to place an international call, just hit that speed dial, and when you hear the announcement, go ahead and dial your call!
- TIP 2: If the access number is stored in a speed dial as explained above, and the international number of the person you wish to reach is stored in another speed dial, you can first press the speed dial for the access number, then, when you hear the message instructing you to dial your destination number, hit the speed-dial for the person you want to reach, and your call will be connected through telna. It's almost like direct dialing!
- TIP 3: We recommend that you ask your provider to block direct international calls from your landline if you never intend to make international calls at your landline provider's rates. This will ensure that no international calls can mistakenly be dialed with your landline provider and will prevent any surprises in case our instructions are not properly followed.
If you are an existing customer, please click here to register your cellphone(s) or landline(s) for telna's international dial-around service.
