International Long-Distance Phone Companies
I just got off the phone with a representative of a long-distance phone company. We get a lot of these calls these days. The reps are always friendly and talkative, addressing me familiarly as “Tita”. I told the rep,(let’s call her MvEII) that we’re probably the same age so there was really no need to call me that. 
Even though this was a sales call, I enjoyed the chat. MvEII was calling from the Philippines, from Ortigas in particular. I would have talked to her longer had I not been afraid she’d get axed for chatting needlessly.
The call came at a perfect time, because I’ve been considering switching from our long-distance company. I’ve gotten tired of the extra fees and hoohah that we pay for. The only thing that’s holding me back is the quality of the reception we get with our current carrier. Our calls back home are always clear and static-free, and rarely dropped or interrupted. I’m afraid that if we switch, I’d regret it and end up going back to the reliable carrier.
What long-distance phone company do you use to call the Philippines? Are you satisfied with their service?
Tags: long-distance carrier, call to Philippines, international phone call
7 Comments
i am satisfied with the long distance carrier that i am using for the past 30 years, and i am not telling anybody…..secret!!! cross my heart, this company is good and cheap and reliable. guess who????
here in japan, pre-paid cards (this is the norm here for calling the Phils) are so numerous that one would normally get confused which one to buy. but I rarely buy, because there is this company called BRASTEL that offers 5 minutes free call for every card you get. So, what I do is just to collect those brochures so I can collect my 5 minutes or sometimes, a gracious 10 minutes!
and oh, I forgot to mention that I also receive calls from reps of tel companies convincing (or trying to) me to buy prepaid cards from them. When I tell the reps that I don’t usually call coz I can talk to my family and friends back home via internet, the next thing I am offered is the balikbayan box. And when I told the rep I am not sending home any noodles or something, I am offered another product or service… and the call would end after who-on-earth-know-how-long minutes.
oh com’n Mel, you gotta share that secret… I did go the phonecard route for the longest time and got tired of being skimped out every christmas eve. i can not get through! so finally i signed up for verizon’s plan at $0.15/minute with $4 monthly charge. not the best but at least i don’t have to deal with pins and 800 numbers and bad receptions. I’m still looking for something better, so Maricar/sis, let me know how it goes, and i’ll be next in line if it’s better.
Mel, I think I can guess.. Does it start with a “C”?
Do you work for them, by any chance?
Gina, I’m thinking of using pre-paid cards too, but I just dislike having a time limit on phone calls. I always finish a card with “O, pag nawala na lang ako bigla, ibig sabihin ubos na yung phone card.” Not the way I want to end conversations at all.
Sis, I’ll let you know for sure if I find a good company.
maricar & grace,
i work as customer relations for a major airline in chicago and work as a part time para-legal for a corporate law firm in downtown chicago.i have been using AT&T and have no problem plus i do get cheap rates from them.
oooopps, wrong guess.