In the modern era of mobile technology, calls to international destinations are not the hassle they once were. Americans travelling outside America to Europe, and particularly countries like France, may freely contact friends and family back in the USA or vice versa, directly via mobile phone.

At one time, ringing France was a dramatic enterprise that required several languages and a great deal of patience on behalf of the caller. Getting through to the French overseas operator was an achievement in itself and it was not only a bonus but a necessity to be able to speak more than schoolroom French to achieve even a modicum of connectivity with your call destination.

Now, however, you can dial direct internationally to France or to anywhere else via cell phone and enjoy a conversation uninterrupted by the hisses and creaks traditionally associated with being on a land line to Europe. Reception is great, sound reproduction is perfect and the French overseas operator is blissfully redundant!

Calls to France can be expensive but it is possible to either enable your mobile phone to make international calls via your phone service provider or purchase calling credit that enables a certain amount of time at a certain rate. The credit is valid until it has run out; it is as simple as that. The advantage of using such credit is being able to avoid set up charges and subscription costs which may be applicable when enabling your phone for overseas use.

Provided your phone is compatible, you may call another mobile phone using the same provider at a significantly reduced rate. You may even find the call charges are so low you can spend an hour on the phone to family traveling in France without worrying about the inhibitor cost of the call. It is always important, however, to check on rates before making overseas calls and also to check that rates have not altered since the last time you made calls on those charges.

Throughout France there are call centers that offer calls to the USA at advantageous cost, but it is sensible to examine the call charges carefully as many calls are charged with an additional service rate on top that can significantly push up the cost. Calling France from the USA via a public phone can be ridiculously expensive and you may not achieve a quality call experience due to line interference.

For successful calls to France at a comfortable rate, the best way forward is via cell phone, on purchased credit via code and PIN provided by specialist companies.