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International Long Distance FAQs

General Information

  1. What is a mobile terminating charge?

    Many telecommunications companies outside the United States now impose additional fees to complete telephone calls to wireless devices, including mobile phones, pagers, personal computers and personal digital assistants. These additional fees also apply to ranges of telephone numbers for special services as designated by the foreign telephone administration (e.g., Premium Rated Services); such special services may or may not be wireless. In order to recover these additional fees, Verizon Wireless adds a mobile termination charge to all calls completed to wireless devices and special services in the affected countries. The charge amount varies by country and applies to all calls that are placed to a wireless device or special service. The customer will see only one per-minute price on their bill for a call where their charge applies. This single per-minute price is a combination of our international dialing rate and the mobile termination charge. This information may change from time-to-time. Be sure to check the codes and rates periodically for current information.

    If a customer calls an overseas landline number and the call is forwarded to a mobile number where the additional change applies, then the customer will be billed the mobile terminating rate.

    "Dialed Digits" are the prefix numbers in the dialed number that identify the call as one to a mobile number or to a specialized service. (Exceptions: Mexico requires a "1" to be included after the country code (52) in the dialing sequence to reach a mobile device; Thailand requires an "8" after the country code "66").


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  2. What are International Long Distance services?

    International Long Distance (I-Dial) services allow you to make international calls on your mobile phone to many international destinations from your plan's home airtime rate and coverage area. For more information, including rate and coverage information, visit our International Services Web page.

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  3. Are there any service requirements to make calls internationally?

    It depends on the country you wish to call. The International Long Distance (I-Dial) feature must be activated on your account in order to make international calls to some countries, but several countries may be dialed direct without the need for the I-DIAL feature. For more information, including rate and coverage information, visit our International Services Web page.

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  4. How do I activate International Long Distance (I-Dial) services?

    You can have the International Long Distance (I-Dial) feature added upon request. Minimum payment history and contract term requirements apply. You can add International Dialing to your account through the Change Features page in My Verizon. Visit our FAQ page for step-by-step instructions on how to change features on your account.

    For more information, visit our International Service Web page.

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  5. Do you have any calling plans for making frequent international calls?

    Yes. The International Value Plan offers customers discounted long distance rates for a monthly access fee. For more information, including rate and coverage information, visit our International Service Web page.

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  6. How do I place an international call from my Verizon Wireless phone?

    To place a call to a destination outside of the US that uses 10-digit dialing, simply enter the 10-digit phone number of the person you wish to call and press the Call button as you would when making a domestic call.

    To place a call to a destination outside of the US that can't be dialed direct using 10-digit dialing, you must start with 011. Next, you must use the country code, and then the number you wish to reach. For additional information on dialing patterns for specific countries, visit our International Service Web page.

    For example, if you would like to call a number in France, dial 011, the country code 33, the phone number and then press the Call button.

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  7. What are the rates for calls made internationally?

    International dialing per-minute rates vary by country, and airtime is charged per your plan. The International Long Distance Value Plan, which offers discounted per-minute rates for a monthly fee, is also available. For additional information, visit or International Service Web page.

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  8. If someone calls me internationally from outside the U.S. will I be charged extra?

    No, you won't be charged long distance or roaming fees if you're in the U.S and someone calls you from outside the U.S.

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  9. How can I get assistance with making international calls?

    For more details on which option is right for you including equipment requirements, pricing and service availability visit our International Service Web page or contact Customer Service.

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