Low-cost int’l call services emerge

Families living apart take advantage of new savings

International telephone service providers are competing to introduce bargain-basement deals on international calls especially geared toward "wild goose families," or families living apart because their children are being educated abroad.

Dacom Corp., the fixed-line division of LG Group, on August 22 came out with ’002 Premium,’ an international flat rate phone service. At 59,000 won (about US$61), subscribers can make 15 hours of international phone calls to seven regions, including the United States, China, and Canada; the rate works out to about 66 won per minute. For short-term subscribers, Dacom offers a ’light-rate service,’ which customers can use to make 400 minutes of calls for 29,000 won a month. There are no additional fees and people can use this service through both their land and cellular lines.

There are various rate systems available, so subscribers should find the most suitable one to suit their needs. Existing telecommunications providers, for which customers need only dial three-digit numbers such as 001 and 002 before placing their international call, furnish high-quality service but at higher rates, with customers paying about 280 won a minute for phone calls to the U.S. These providers offer another telecommunications service using five-digit numbers like 00365 and 00727, which are at a lower cost but sacrifice connection quality. Consumers can maximize their savings if they want to use basic telecommunications providers by taking advantage of the companies’ diverse rate systems, accessible by subscribing to one service in particular.