International calling

What is international calling?

International calling simply means making phone calls between different countries. If you’re using a regular phone, these calls are processed by international gateway exchanges.

Increasingly, telecom providers are offering international calling apps, which route calls via the internet using VoIP technology. This makes the cost of international calls much lower.

Thanks to online international calling, you’re not restricted to traditional 1:1 voice calls. You can easily set up international conference calls and video meetings with colleagues and clients across the globe. The best providers—like Dialpad—build this into a unified communications platform with text and group messages, too.

Get international calls from Australia (and much more) with Dialpad

How do you make an international call?

First, you’ll need to make sure your account is set up for international calls and add calling credits (with Dialpad, you need to do this via Admin Settings).

It’s best to check your provider’s international calling instructions, but typically you’d dial the exit code for your own country, then the code for the country you wish to call, the relevant area or city code, and the phone number itself.

Some countries have different procedures for calling mobile phone numbers. If you’re planning on calling international numbers frequently, especially regular calls to a particular country, ask your service provider about a calling plan.

How to make an international call from Australia

With a Dialpad subscription, you can make cheap international calls from Australia or New Zealand to almost any country in the world. But what’s the procedure for calling out of Australia?

The first thing you’ll need is the Australian exit code, which is 0011. Alternatively, you can use the plus (+) symbol if your handset has one.

After you’ve entered the exit code, enter the relevant country code. Then enter the phone number, including the area code. If either the area code or the number begins with a zero, you’ll need to leave out the zero when you dial. And that's it, your call will start ringing:

For example, let’s say you want to make an international call from Australia to a number based in Birmingham, UK. The UK country code is 44, and the area code for Birmingham is 0121. So you’d need to dial 0011 44 121 XXX XXXX (or + 44 121 XXX XXXX).

(By the way, if you’re ever overseas and you need to call home, the Australian international calling code is 61).

The benefits of having an international calling app for your business

It lets you make international calls more accessibly

An international calling app means that you can contact whomever you like, whenever and wherever you like, regardless of the recipient’s internet connectivity or telecom service. You can place calls to smartphones, traditional mobile phones, and landlines—so nobody has to miss out on the conversation.

With Dialpad, you can make international calls from your desk phone or the mobile or desktop app. Employees can even use their own devices for work, using the business phone number for privacy. For easy accessibility, you can also set up PINless calls that allow seamless entry to meetings or conference calls.

It's more cost-effective

International calling apps can save you money since international calling through the internet is often cheaper than using a landline. This is because calls are routed using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology, which enables the provider to reduce operational costs and pass on the savings to users. (Dialpad has some of the lowest rates around.)

You’ll also see a boost in productivity with Dialpad, thanks to excellent call quality and time-saving features such as call forwarding and real-time voice transcription. The app is easy to set up and use on all devices, and if you’re holding remote phone conferences, your clients can enter via a web link or use a traditional dial-in number.

It amplifies your market reach and brand awareness

Whether you’re making international calls from Australia, New Zealand, or somewhere else, international calling helps you to increase your worldwide presence and brand recognition.

The rise of online commerce means that even small businesses can sell to customers around the globe. International calling apps give you the opportunity to reach new markets without needing to spend a fortune.

Scale your business globally through international phone calling with Dialpad

If your business has global aspirations, you’re going to need international calling—and Dialpad gives you so much more than the ability to contact almost every country in the world.

Apart from low rates and international mobile calling, with Dialpad, you’ll be able to benefit from fully unified communications and advanced call management features.