Call the United States from The Netherlands

Whether you're a United States national traveling abroad or a Netherlands resident trying to connect with friends in the States, you use the same procedure to call the United States from the Netherlands. The procedure will also apply to calling from the former Netherlands Antilles, now Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius.

Steps

Using a Landline or Mobile Telephone

  1. Be prepared for international call costs. The cost per minute to call the United States from the Netherlands is 50 cents. You can some save money by using a phone card or by calling during non-peak hours.
  2. Dial "00". This is the exit code which is required for calling out-of-country. Only do this for calls to be received outside of The Netherlands; local calls may not be received with the "00" prefix.
  3. Dial "1". This is the international telephone prefix for the United States. Any and all calls to the USA (whether from The Netherlands or otherwise) will need to have the "1" prefix.
  4. Dial the 3-digit area code. If you're unsure of the area code of the person you're trying to reach, you'll most likely need an internet connection to figure it out. Do a quick Google search of the city, address, or zip code of the person you're trying to reach to find the area code.
  5. Dial the 7-digit United States number you want to call. If you don't know the number for the person or business you're calling, you can:
    • Look the number up in an online phone book. Your results will vary: Business owners can choose whether to be listed in many directories and individuals can also opt to have their numbers removed from a listing.
    • Check that person's or business' web site (if they have one) for a contact phone number.
    • Contact the person by other means to request his or her phone number.[1]

Using Skype to Call a Telephone

  1. Buy Skype credit or a subscription. To call a landline or mobile phone internationally with Skype, you'll need either a subscription or enough credit with Skype. Unfortunately, all reliable online telephone services will charge for their international service.
  2. Sign-in and press "call phones". A number pad should open, similar to a telephone's keypad. On the right should be displayed your country information and calling rates.
  3. Select "United States" from the drop-down menu. This will add the USA phone code (+1) to the beginning of whichever number you're going to call to reach the United States. Be sure your country selection is correct before continuing.
  4. Enter the number and press "call". Once you've selected USA from the drop-down menu, enter the ten-digit phone number (area code + seven digit number). Press the blue "call" button to place your call.[2]

Using Skype-to-Skype

  1. Have the call recipient's info. For everyone you'd like to reach on Skype from the Netherlands, have their Skype account information saved on your account ahead of time. Hopefully these are people you've contacted before so it may be saved already.
  2. Double-click the call recipient's name. In your list of Skype contacts, find the person you wish to reach and double-click on their name in the list. Their profile should show be expanded in a new window.
  3. Press the blue "call" button. The button is a blue circle with a white silhouette of a telephone handset inside. Click this button to initiate the call.
    • Note, if this is someone you don't have listed as a contact, you'll see a green circle with a "plus" inside. Press this to add them as a contact; you'll need to wait for them to do the same to begin speaking.
  4. Start talking. The Skype call should ring as it awaits receipt on the other end. Provided your contact is ready and waiting, they should answer quickly. Continuing is as simple as starting to talk. If their computer has a camera, you will probably see their image.[3]

Using Google

  1. Have a Google account. If you don't already, sign up for an account with Google on their main page or at their GMail website (gmail.com). It is through their e-mail service that you'll be placing your call.
  2. Know the cost. To use Google to call a U.S. telephone from The Netherlands costs 1 cent per minute (1.2 cents if the value added tax is included). Using Google to contact another Google account is free, however.
  3. Log-in to GMail. Whether you've had an account or just created one, log in now. Check the left side of the webpage for a list of contacts (this will be empty if your account is brand new). It is from this list that you'll initiate your call.
  4. Choose the Hangouts app from Google apps menu at the top-right corner.
  5. Press the "call" button if trying to reach a telephone. The button is a small telephone handset icon; press this and a number pad similar to a telephone's should open. Type in the number you're trying to reach and click "Call." It will proceed as a normal telephone call.
  6. Press the "conversations" button if trying to reach Google account. A new window should appear at the bottom right of the webpage. Chose the account you want to call. At the top-right of this box is a camcorder icon; click this to initiate your call. If you have a camera available, Google provides video capability as well.[4]

Tips

  • Online services like www.pennyphone.nl/, www.teledump.nl/ and www.belpiraat.nl/ offer inexpensive international calling rates from within The Netherlands, although you may be charged extra fees for calling the access numbers from a mobile phone.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.howtocallabroad.com/results.php?callfrom=netherlands&callto=united_states
  2. ↑ https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA10938/how-do-i-dial-an-international-number
  3. ↑ http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-initiate-a-skype-call.html
  4. ↑ https://support.google.com/chat/answer/3379791?hl=en
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