If you regularly call family or business contacts outside the US, you are probably overpaying. Major carriers charge $15/month for international add-ons that still have per-minute fees. Meanwhile, MVNOs like Lycamobile include free international calling to 75+ countries in their standard plans.
The International Calling Problem
Here is what the big carriers charge for international calls without an add-on:
| Carrier | India | Mexico | UK | China | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $0.28/min | $0.05/min | $0.22/min | $0.23/min | $0.30/min |
| Verizon | $0.28/min | $0.05/min | $0.20/min | $0.25/min | $0.30/min |
| T-Mobile | $0.25/min | Free (landline) | $0.20/min | $0.25/min | $0.25/min |
| Lycamobile | FREE | FREE | FREE | FREE | FREE |
A 30-minute weekly call to India on AT&T costs $0.28 x 30 x 4 = $33.60/month just for international calls. On Lycamobile, that same call is free included in your $25/month unlimited plan.
Your 4 Options Compared
| Option | Monthly Cost | Intl Calls | Quality | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lycamobile MVNO | $25/mo | Free to 75+ countries | HD Voice (T-Mobile) | Use your phone normally |
| Tello MVNO | $25/mo + per-min | Pay per minute | HD Voice (T-Mobile) | Use your phone normally |
| WhatsApp/Viber | Free (data) | Free (app-to-app) | Depends on internet | Both parties need app |
| Carrier Add-On | $15/mo + per-min | Per-minute rates | HD Voice | Use your phone normally |
Best Pick: Lycamobile
Lycamobile Unlimited International
T-Mobile Network | Free Calls to 75+ Countries
$25
/month
Unlimited
US Talk & Text
75+
Free Intl Countries
15GB
High-Speed Data
5G
Included
Why Lycamobile Wins for International Calling
No other US carrier or MVNO includes free international calling to this many countries at this price. The calls go through T-Mobile HD Voice network not VoIP so quality is identical to a regular phone call.
Runner-Up: Tello (Best Flexibility)
Tello does not include free international calls, but their per-minute rates are among the lowest. Where Tello shines is plan flexibility build your own plan with exactly the minutes, texts, and data you need. If you only make occasional international calls, Tello can be cheaper overall.
When Tello Beats Lycamobile
If you make fewer than 60 minutes of international calls per month, Tello custom plan ($10-15/mo) + per-minute rates can be cheaper than Lycamobile $25/mo. Plus Tello offers data rollover and free hotspot.
Country-by-Country Rate Comparison
Here are rates for the 10 most-called countries from the US:
| Country | Lycamobile | Tello | AT&T Add-On |
|---|---|---|---|
| India (landline) | FREE | $0.01/min | $0.28/min |
| India (mobile) | FREE | $0.04/min | $0.28/min |
| Mexico | FREE | $0.01/min | $0.05/min |
| China | FREE | $0.02/min | $0.23/min |
| Philippines (landline) | FREE | $0.03/min | $0.30/min |
| Philippines (mobile) | $0.15/min | $0.12/min | $0.30/min |
| UK | FREE | $0.01/min | $0.22/min |
| Canada | FREE | $0.01/min | $0.05/min |
| Germany | FREE | $0.01/min | $0.22/min |
| Brazil | FREE | $0.02/min | $0.25/min |
Important: Landline vs Mobile
Lycamobile free international calling covers landlines in all 75+ countries. Mobile calls are free in most countries but some (Philippines mobile, certain African countries) have per-minute charges. Always check specific rates on lycamobile.us before calling.
FAQ
Do I need a special phone for Lycamobile??
Can I keep my current phone number??
Is call quality the same as a regular carrier??
What about WhatsApp calling??
Are there any hidden fees??
Quick Take
Lycamobile wins for international calling. Free calls to 75+ countries on a $25/month unlimited plan nothing else in the US market comes close. Tello is the pick if you call internationally less often and want full control over your plan. Both save you hundreds compared to major carrier rates.