Making A Telephone Call to Ukraine

[ambach123]

From USA, I assume I have to dial 011 then 380 and then the number.

How many digits should there be in the number?

Also what is the best way call Ukraine? Our long distance provider?

Thanks.

[AnastassiaAsh]

I use calling cards from www.ldpost.com but there are many other good websites with calling cards.

Yes, you have to dial

011-380-city code - home number

or

011-380-cell number

What city are you calling? What number did she give you?

[mac1165]

Also what is the best way call Ukraine? Our long distance provider?

The best, most dependable way to call Ukraine (or anywhere else in the world for that matter) is Skype.  Download their software, get a headset with microphone, add some funds into your account, and you'll be able to clearly connect with any home, cell (or even village phone).  Good luck using a calling card to many phones in Ukraine.  If I'm not mistaken, the charge is around 8 cents per minute to most cities. My wife uses it every day.

Whatever you do, don't use your long distance provider. They'll rob you blind!

[ScottinCrimea]

According to the Skype website, the cost to call a home phone in Ukraine is 15.4 cents a minute including VAT.  To call a mobile phone, the cost is 21.4 cents a minute.

We typically call to mobile phones when we call Ukraine.  After much searching, I found a calling card on Speedypin that costs around 14 cents a minute and we can call from our cell phone from anywhere so are not stuck sitting at a computer.  We get a $2 discount when we purchase at least $20 at one time. The connection is as good or better than any internet calling service I have used.

I definitely agree that using your long distance provider is a very expensive mistake.

[mac1165]

According to the Skype website, the cost to call a home phone in Ukraine is 15.4 cents a minute including VAT.  To call a mobile phone, the cost is 21.4 cents a minute.

I stand corrected on those calls to Ukraine.  We make calls to both Russia and Ukraine and I must have hit somewhere in between.  Rates to Russia are great, though:

Pasted from the Skype site (including VAT):
Russia    $ 0.055
Russia - Mobile $ 0.082
Russia-Moscow $ 0.024
Russia-St Petersburg $ 0.024

[ScottinCrimea]

Yeah, I'm jealous of those Russian phone rates.  I keep hoping that the Ukraine rates will drop but not holding my breath.  The rates to Russia are similar on the calling card we use.  Considering that the rates are roughly equal and the connection quality seems to be the same, the advantage of the calling card for my wife is that she can call from anywhere using her mobile phone and isn't stuck sitting in my uncomfortable computer chair wearing headphones.

[mac1165]

Actually, most of the calls my wife makes are to her mom, computer to computer using Skype.  You can't beat $0.00 cents per minute.  Occasionally, she'll call her home or mobile phone, which of course incurs the charge. 

[docetae]

From USA, I assume I have to dial 011 then 380 and then the number.

How many digits should there be in the number?

Also what is the best way call Ukraine? Our long distance provider?

Thanks.

From canada, skype call out gives the best quality. I have tested skype, Bell Canada (landline) and a prepaid card. The worst is the prepaid system... Sometime i had waiting tones with Bell and at the same time, my girlfriends did not received the call (check done via sms). It has been always ok with skype.

[Misha]

I have been using jajah (http://jajah.com/) to call Russia for a year. Quality is exceptional and it is quite cheap. It also allows you to make a phone-to-phone call. Rates from United States to Ukraine: 13-19 cents per minute.

[Jumper]

we have used many different international calling cards..
global and a host of others.

google calling cards and youll find more than you could imagine.

i have also used my long distance provider, if you call and ask for an international plan, see what it costs, and the various rates to the city you plan to call, it can be ,
half way reasonable .
for example ATT's rate to Kiev is not that bad ,if you have an international plan with them, and the plans are generally  inexpensive monthly to add on.
(if doing a lot of calling)

Obviously the rates will not compete with some 11 to  8 cent per minute calling card.
but they wont always break you either..

I often just buy the international calling cards you see at walgreens or other places,, and they generally run 13c /min or so, to ukraine.(sometimes less to Kiev)

[Ronnie]

Over the past 6 years I or my wife have been making calls to Ukraine, we've run the gamut.  From ATT's $2.50 a minute without a calling plan (I got them to reverse a $250 bill when that first happened) to skype's computer to computer.

One thing about calling cards that hasn't been mentioned...well, maybe two things... first, sometimes there's a connection fee or a weekly charge that has nothing to do with how much or long you talk at their advertised rate.  Watch out for that.
Second, my wife, being the mistrusting person she is, clocked her calls and then checked to see how many minutes they showed she had left after her call.  She discovered that they actually are dishonest on timing your calls.  A 20 minute call may cost you 40 minutes, effectively doubling the advertised rate.  So keep an eye on that.

In the end, we settled on Vonage.  Since I call clients all over the country and to western Europe, Vonage gave me free unlimited calls for twenty five buck a month, plus a lot of features like voicemail caller ID, call waiting, conference calling etc. at no addtional cost.  Yes, Sandro, I can call you in Italy for free!

here are the Ukraine rates for vonage pasted from their website:

Country Code Rate/Min
Ukraine 380 $0.13
Ukraine (Cellular & Premium) 38039, 38050, 38063, 38066-68, 38095-97 $0.16
Ukraine - Dnipropetrovsk 38056 $0.12
Ukraine - Donetsk 38062 $0.12
Ukraine - Kharkiv 38057 $0.12
Ukraine - Kiev 38044, 380442, 380444-45 $0.13
Ukraine - Lviv 38032 $0.12
Ukraine - Odessa 38048, 380482, 380487 $0.14

If anyone is interested in signing up for Vonage, there is a refer-a-friend program that gives both of us a free month or two....

[Ronnie]

For those who live in Ukraine there is an excellent service called globaltel.  It's a call back service that dramatically cuts the cost of calling the states from other countries.  Basically, here's how it works:

You contact them and set up an account using a credit card and at the same time you give them the the oversees number from which you will be making your calls. 

Then, when you account is set up, you simply pick up the overseas phone, in my case it was Irina's home phone, and call the US number of Globaltel.  I think their located near Washingto DC.  You let the call ring once then hang up.  Since there was no connection, there is no charge for the call.  However, the computer at Global, recognized the incoming call without answering it using caller ID technology and calls you back in a few seconds.  When you answer the call, an automated voice prompts you to enter the US number you want to call and then the computer places the call and connects you.  The rate was about 15 cents a minute as I recall...that was 4 years ago.  It was a great way for me to check my messages, return calls and continue doing business as though I was still in the US.

here's the link.. http://www.globaltelcallback.com/rates-cgi/rates.shtml

[Jumper]

Ronnie thanks for the info and rates -

I have heard a lot of good things about skype and Vonage

but unfortuantly never got to the point of looking further into it.

[Ronnie]

I just bought a skype branded headset/microphone for 15 dollars at Wal-mart but haven't set it up yet.  Guess I better do that tonight.

[Ronnie]

Vonage for Russia...

Country Code Rate/Min
Russia 7, 70-72, 74-78, 734 $0.12
Russia (Cellular & Premium) 79, 791, 7501, 7900-06, 7908-14, 7916-18, 7920-29, 7950, 7960-62, 70954 $0.08
Russia - Chechnia 7871 $0.12
Russia - Moscow 795, 7095 $0.07
Russia - Moscow Central 7495, 7499 $0.07
Russia - Overlay 751, 7097, 7503, 7505, 7510, 7517, 7572, 7574, 7954, 7997 $0.13
Russia - St. Petersburg 7812 $0.07

The other thing I forgot to mention is that with vonage you just pick up the phone and dial the number.  No access number or pin code to fool with.

[docetae]

Vonage for Russia...

Country Code Rate/Min
Russia 7, 70-72, 74-78, 734 $0.12
Russia (Cellular & Premium) 79, 791, 7501, 7900-06, 7908-14, 7916-18, 7920-29, 7950, 7960-62, 70954 $0.08
Russia - Chechnia 7871 $0.12
Russia - Moscow 795, 7095 $0.07
Russia - Moscow Central 7495, 7499 $0.07
Russia - Overlay 751, 7097, 7503, 7505, 7510, 7517, 7572, 7574, 7954, 7997 $0.13
Russia - St. Petersburg 7812 $0.07

The other thing I forgot to mention is that with vonage you just pick up the phone and dial the number.  No access number or pin code to fool with.

And what you can do too if you want is to send the vonage package to Russia... she will have a US number to receive your calls.. or to call you. One friend in St Petersburg is doing this (phone sent by father from US).

[UTRO]

Lana and I use the JOIP Network using Globarange phones from Panasonic. www.joip.com You can buy the phones On-line or at retailers such as Bestbuy, Futureshop, Staples, etc... for $70. I bought two and brought one to Russia. You don't have to plug into a computer. Purchase a Router, plug in, and immediately the phone registers itself sending you your JOIP number. This is the number Lana uses to dial my JOIP phone. The nice thing about this system is that the calls are Free for a minimum of 3 years.... more than enough time waiting for Lana to arrive in Canada!    (Panasonic hasn't decided what to do about accessability after 3 years runs out) Also nice is that the phone doubles as a Landline phone, so it can be used as any other phone with such Features as, call waiting, call display, call answering, etc... Calls are clearer than any other phone I've ever used to call Russia. I would recommend High Speed service at both ends, or your calls will drop out when usage is busy.
Oh yes, as far as the Landline side of the JOIP phone goes, they have Long Distance rates available a la Skype and Vonage.

[Ronnie]

And what you can do too if you want is to send the vonage package to Russia... she will have a US number to receive your calls.. or to call you. One friend in St Petersburg is doing this (phone sent by father from US).

Actually, the only thing you need to send to FSU is the Vonage-supplied router.  With a local high speed internet connection and modem (no computer necessary) and a phone to plug into the router, she is as good as living next door to you, and yes all your calls would be free except of course the $25 monthly fee.

[Pike]

In my travels around the world, and in calling various cities around the world, I have found there is nothing simple about making a call . . . until after you have made your first call to a certain place, from a certain place, using a certain type of phone, and using a certain method.  Then, when you change any of these 4 variables, your fun starts again.

It was stated in this thread that you punch in:

011-380-city code - home number or 011-380-cell number

But this can lead to some problems when you consider that the codes, for instance, for MTS mobile in Ukraine are 050 and 095.  So using the above you might attempt to dial a lady with an MTS cell number of 050-376-5599 using, as suggested above:
011-380-050-376-5599.

But, you would get nowhere because you need to use:
011-38-050-376-5599

And depending on your type and source of connection, you might use  only:

11-38-050-376-5599 or
1-38-050-376-5599 or
38-050-376-5599

And while in Ukraine you would use only 8-050-376-5599

But when calling from a hotel or such,  you would have some additonal code numbers to punch in.  There is virtually no end to the combinations you might have to use. 

Also, some people think the country code for Ukraine is 38 whereas others think it is 380.  Some think the area code for Kyiv is 044 whereas others think it is 44.  Both are correct, depending on where you are calling from using a particular type of method.

All very simple once you make your first call to a certain place, from a certain place, using a certain type of phone, and using a certain method.

Then, when you think you are pretty  slick with this, try using your ATT calling card from a phone booth, hotel or apartment in Ukraine.  It can be done, once you learn the tricks, which vary from location to  location.

Have fun!!

[fandelau]

Good morning y'all!

i have found a good calling card I use often... you can find it at www.nobelcom.com... they have cards from 6.9¢ per minute (with maintenance fees up the gazoo and billing increments of 4 minutes) to 13¢ per minute (no maintenance fee and biling increments to the second!). Their cellphone cards are not bad starting at 8.9¢, going to 14.5¢ for the second rounding card. They also have cards at even cheaper prices for specific cities... (Kiev, Odessa and L'viv starting at 6.4¢), and yes they have cards for pretty much every country in the world... The only caveat, if you can call it that, is that the smallest amount you can buy is $20... guess what, I'd use them up in no time!

I actually have Vonage and it isn't bad... They charge between 12¢ to 14¢ for landlines and 16¢ for calls to cell phones. I know it is not the topic of this thread, but they also offer an UNLIMITED plan to land lines in Moscow and Saint Pete + some other European cities for $10 more on your $25 a month plan... yes, UNLIMITED! if I was corresponding with a girl from either, I'd get it!

Cheers!

R.

[ConnerVT]

The only caveat, if you can call it that, is that the smallest amount you can buy is $20... guess what, I'd use them up in no time!

That's because you're paying WAY too much for calls.

Any of the Betamax companies, or Future-Nine.com, will cost you half of what has been suggested above.  And you can use both as a calling card (with or without need of entering a PIN), a call back service, or VoIP.

Been at this a long time, and average about 1400 min/month to Russia.

[HiTech]

My best connect has been skype to Cell phone in the Ukraine. Price 18.6 Cents a min.
Also many Internet caffies now have Web cam and Head set.

My skype connect to them has been supurb and less than $2 1 hour.

Dale

[ConnerVT]

HiTech, you need to work on your math.

$0.186*60 minutes = $11.60 / hour

I quickly found

Ukraine landline low as $0.059 USD/min  ($3.54/hr)
Ukraine mobile low as $0.052 USD/min ($3.12/hr)

Talk three times as long for the same price.  Russian prices are even lower, and with some you even get 5 hours of free talk time over a 7 day period.

I don't get anything for promoting these places.  I just know how much daily calls overseas can cost.

http://backsla.sh/betamax

[msmoby_ru]

Vonage for Russia...

Country Code Rate/Min
Russia 7, 70-72, 74-78, 734 $0.12
Russia (Cellular & Premium) 79, 791, 7501, 7900-06, 7908-14, 7916-18, 7920-29, 7950, 7960-62, 70954 $0.08
Russia - Chechnia 7871 $0.12
Russia - Moscow 795, 7095 $0.07
Russia - Moscow Central 7495, 7499 $0.07
Russia - Overlay 751, 7097, 7503, 7505, 7510, 7517, 7572, 7574, 7954, 7997 $0.13
Russia - St. Petersburg 7812 $0.07

The other thing I forgot to mention is that with vonage you just pick up the phone and dial the number.  No access number or pin code to fool with.

Wow, Ronnie, we "agree" on something )!!

I have used Vonage for a year and a half -I just take my little Vonage router and plug it in to the internet where ever I go, and only one number to find me.. I use their biz package and this offers unlimited FREE calls to Russian land line numbers and 44 other countries- but sadly the Ukraine isn't included ... and ALL vonage clients call each other for free, too.

For UA based women with US / Canadian guys I'd have thought the magicjack - a USB device that plugs into the pc was the way to go....   if her internet connection is good - buy her a Vonage router and she'll have a US / Canadian / UK telephone number ...

Ronnie, the refer a friend and you both get FREE three months is great .. BUT you have to hope your "friend" stays with Vonage three months .. THEN they give you the free time....

[ScottinCrimea]

I wish there were the same cheap rates for calls to Ukraine as there are to Russia.  Maybe someday...

In the meantime, after a lot of searching, the easiest, cheapest and most convenient method for us is to use the speedypin saphire calling card.  No need to buy and install new equipment on either end, the connection quality is excellent, the price is about 11 cents a minute with none of the added fees or round-ups, no need to enter a pin, and we can call from our cell phone anywhere without either party being tied to a computer terminal.

I just checked again and they have a card called STiMundo that runs 5.7 cents a minute.  Even with the 3 minute rounding and 69 cent weekly charge, I still calculate that we would be paying less than 7 cents a minute.  I think I'll give it a try to check ease and quality.