Calling internationally can be confusing and when you want to configure a lap top computer for internet service, it can be down right frustrating until you know how... and then, it is a piece of cake!

Here are simple instructions to assist you along with some tips for staying connected. Many of these points are for both voice calls and Internet access.

To PLACE a call
In the North American phone system, the usual long distance access prefix of 1 (which happens to be the same as the North American country code) is separate from the area code. In Australia and most other parts of the world a long distance access prefix of 0 is included in the area code. To place a call out of the U.S. dial: 011 - country code - city code - number

The Australian area code loses the initial 0 when shown as an international number. Examples: Australia National - (07) 2345 6789 Will become International 011 +61 (7) 2345 6789 011 is to dial outside the US 61 is the Country code for Australia 07 or 7 is the area code (drop the 0) 2345 6789 in the phone number North America 1 234 456 7890 01 1 234 456 7890 01 is the Country code 1 is the access code 234 is the area code The US uses 3 numbers 567 8910 is the phone number (61 is Australia's Country code). Note: If an area code begins with more than one 0, only the first 0 is dropped.

To obtain information on other Country codes, please see http://www.att.com/traveler/tools/codes.html

To locate a city name or location for a number you have http://www.primeris.com/fonefind/

To locate the time of day where you are calling: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

Very Important Points

• Different countries use different phone adaptors so you will need to plan ahead for the type that is used at your destination. This is especially true if you are arriving on a Sunday or in the evening and are anxiously awaiting checking your e-mail.
• You will need the correct power plug adapter so you can plug in your laptop when you get to your destination. There are 9 different power plugs in use around the globe.
• You may need a step-down transformer so check ahead. Your laptop may not be prepared to handle the 240VAC power you will have in many countries.
• Be absolutely certain that your laptop has an International modem; some do not and although you may have purchased the top of the line in systems, you still may have a US modem. It won't work outside the US!
• If a single provider serves all of the areas you will be traveling, just connect to that provider for your mail. Some providers have access numbers in many areas, while others have toll-free access that can be used from anywhere for an hourly surcharge.
• Plan ahead for your dial up numbers. Gather them before you leave home and copy into a text document so you need not be on-line to do any configurations.
• In the US, dialing for an outside line is usually an 8 or 9, this isn't true everywhere.
• Your Software may need a Comma Pause and each comma will create a two second pause. Dial the server number from the telephone and receiver. Listen to the dialing sequence to see if there are pauses between the time the internal phone system gets you an outside line and the connection to the outside line and/or the international access and country code. If there is none, you may need to add commas to various areas of your dial string. Example: 90118002345678 may need to be 9,,01, etc.
• Some places charge for the time you are connected, whether long distance or local so be sure.
• Check into using Internet cafes, pay phones and local libraries.
• Some areas recognize long distance areas and charge for them without dialing an area code. Check ahead to avoid massive charges.
• If you plan to be in a country for an extended period of time and will need frequent phone access, it may be wise to check into a cell phone. Get details on pricing. We have found that making a call from Australia to the US is much more costly that the US calling us on the cell phone since our program has no roaming charges.