If you're looking to stay connected with your contacts in India while visiting Bahrain, you'll need to know the right calling card to use. Making international calls can be expensive, so it's important to find a cost-effective solution that offers a good balance of call quality and price. In this regard, calling cards can be a great option, but it's essential to choose one that suits your specific needs. So, which calling card is the best option for calling India from Bahrain? Let's explore the details you'll need to make an informed decision.
What You'll Learn
International calling apps like Rebtel, Skype, WhatsApp, and Viber
Rebtel:
Rebtel is a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service that allows users to make international calls at low rates. However, there have been reports of issues when using Rebtel in Bahrain. Due to restrictions by local operators, external providers like Rebtel are no longer allowed to connect calls from Bahrain. As a result, users may encounter a message saying that the number they are calling has been restricted. To resolve this issue, Rebtel users in Bahrain need to change their call settings to use WiFi and data only, disabling the "Phone Lines" option. This workaround allows users to continue using Rebtel for international calls but may require an additional data plan to avoid excessive data charges.
Skype:
Skype is a well-known VoIP service that offers free video calls worldwide. With Skype, users can make voice and video calls, send instant messages, and share files. However, it's important to note that Skype has limited emergency calling capabilities, and it should not be solely relied on for emergency situations. Skype may be a good option for casual calls between Bahrain and India, but users should be aware of its limitations in terms of emergency services.
WhatsApp:
WhatsApp is a widely used messaging and calling app that allows users to make voice and video calls for free. It is particularly popular in India, with a large user base. However, there have been concerns and objections raised by traders in India regarding WhatsApp's privacy policy. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has objected to WhatsApp's new privacy policy, which allows the app to acquire various types of personal data, including payment transactions, contacts, and location information. As a result, there have been calls for the Indian government to restrict or ban WhatsApp and its parent company, Facebook. While WhatsApp continues to be a convenient option for calling between Bahrain and India, users should stay updated with the app's privacy policies and any regulatory changes in India.
Viber:
Viber is another popular VoIP app that offers free voice and video calls, messaging, and file-sharing features. It provides a similar set of functionalities as the other apps mentioned. While there weren't any specific results for Viber regarding calling from Bahrain to India, it is likely to be a viable option, given its widespread use globally.
In summary, while international calling apps like Rebtel, Skype, WhatsApp, and Viber offer convenient and cost-effective ways to make calls from Bahrain to India, it's important to be aware of any local restrictions or privacy concerns. Users should ensure that they have reliable internet access and stay informed about the latest updates and policies for each app to make the most of their international calling experience.
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Using VoIP or apps with VoIP technology
VoIP services are often blocked in Middle Eastern countries, making it difficult for expats to communicate with their families and friends back home. Bahrain is no exception, as its government has considered blocking some VoIP services since the end of 2000. However, there are VPN-enabled apps that allow users to utilise VoIP services even in countries where they are restricted. Here are some of the apps that can be used for making calls from Bahrain to India:
RingtoWorld
RingtoWorld is a VPN-enabled application introduced by the RingtoIndia team. It offers affordable rates and good call quality, allowing users to make uninterrupted calls to India and other destinations. The app also provides features such as viewing real-time balance, call history, and payment history. RingtoWorld charges 1 cent per minute for calls to Indian landlines and mobiles, which is economical compared to similar services.
TOPCALL (VPN version)
TOPCALL is a VPN-enabled calling app available on the Google Play Store. It utilises advanced compression technology to provide premium-quality calls at affordable rates. While it is particularly useful for making local calls to Bahrain or other countries where VoIP is blocked, it can also be used for international calls at lower rates than traditional operators. For example, it charges only 0.01178 USD per minute for calls to Australia.
WeBeCall
WeBeCall is another VPN-enabled app that provides good voice quality and allows free calls between subscribed users. Users can also make paid calls to non-subscribed users at very low rates. The service enables receiving incoming calls and does not have any hidden charges. It charges 0.0106 USD per minute for calls to Indian landlines and mobiles, making it a cost-effective option for staying connected with loved ones in India.
Nymgo
Nymgo is a calling app designed for making affordable calls and sending international SMS to countries like Mexico, Brazil, China, Egypt, and India. It eliminates the need for traditional calling cards and helps reduce roaming and call charges. Nymgo is VPN-enabled, making it useful for countries where VoIP services are banned. To use Nymgo's VPN, users need to log in to their account, navigate to the member's dashboard, and activate the VPN feature. Nymgo charges 0.018 USD per minute for calls to India, which is lower than similar VPN-enabled services.
VoIP Discount
VoIP Discount is an app that allows users to make free international calls and send free SMS worldwide. After signing up, users can utilise options like Local Access Number, local VoIP calls, or Call Back options to make cheap international calls.
SweetCall SIP Softphone
SweetCall SIP Softphone is an app that enables unlimited calls to around 45 countries, including India, Taiwan, China, and Indonesia, without any monthly fees. By enabling the VPN feature, users can also make calls from countries where VoIP services are blocked. SweetCall SIP Softphone offers unlimited minutes and eliminates roaming charges when using a 3G or Wi-Fi connection.
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Dialing instructions for calling Bahrain from India
To call Bahrain from India, you need to follow the international dialing format. The dialing format is the same for calling a landline or mobile in Bahrain from India.
First, dial 00, the exit code for India. Next, dial 973, the country code for Bahrain. Then, dial the phone number of the recipient. This will be 8 digits if you are calling a mobile phone.
If you are calling a landline, you may also need to dial an area code. There are no area codes in Bahrain, so if there is an area code, dial the code of the city in Bahrain you are calling after the country code. If there is no area code, dial the recipient's telephone number after the country code.
To make a local call within Bahrain, use the Bahrain trunk prefix. If you are using a local SIM card, you only need to dial the phone number.
To call Bahrain from India from an office, you may first need to dial the phone code in the office to reach the local connection. After a long beep, dial 973, wait for another beep, and then enter the area code and phone number. In some offices, you do not need to dial a code to make a city connection.
To make cheaper calls to Bahrain from India, use VoIP or apps with VoIP technology, such as Skype or Viber. Some VoIP services allow you to skip dialing the exit code before placing an international call. If this feature is turned on, just leave out the country exit code. To call Bahrain from the Skype app, follow these dialing instructions: First, type + 973, the country code for Bahrain. Then, dial the 8-digit phone number.
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Country codes and exit codes for India and Bahrain
To call India from Bahrain, you will need to know the country codes and exit codes for both countries.
Country Codes and Exit Codes
An exit code, also known as an IDD (International Direct Dialing) or ISD (International Subscriber Dialing) code, is the code you need to dial out of a country. A country code is the code you need to dial into a country. Each country has a unique country code.
Country and Exit Codes for India
India's country code is the numerical series '91'. This code remains the same regardless of which country you are dialling out from.
Country and Exit Codes for Bahrain
To dial out of Bahrain, the exit code is '0'. The country code for Bahrain is '973'.
Making the Call
When calling India from Bahrain, you will need to use the following dialling format: '0973 91 [phone number]'.
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Cheapest rates for calling India from Bahrain
If you're looking for the cheapest rates to call India from Bahrain, there are several options available to you. Many of these options are apps that you can download to your smartphone, such as Yolla or mytello. These apps offer competitive rates and sometimes even free calls.
Yolla is available for Android or iOS and provides HD-quality calls. It offers a straightforward, three-step process: download the app, sign up and get credits, and then dial the Bahrain phone number. Yolla also offers 24/7 customer support and easy and secure payments.
Mytello is another highly-rated app for international calls, with over 100,000 users. It promises savings of up to 90% on calls to India from Bahrain. You can add credit to your mytello account using PayPal, a credit card, or Paysafecard. This credit never expires, and you can always see your current credit balance in your account or the app.
Both Yolla and mytello offer free trials or free calls, so you can try them out without risk.
In addition to these apps, you can also use VoIP technology such as Skype or Viber to make cheap or free calls to India from Bahrain. These services may allow you to skip dialling exit codes and only require the Bahrain country code (+973) followed by the local phone number.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to call India from Bahrain is by using VoIP or apps with VoIP technology like Skype, Viber, etc. Some VoIP services allow you to skip dialling the exit code before placing an international call.
The Rebtel app offers the cheapest international calls to India from anywhere in the world.
To call India from Bahrain, first dial 00, the India exit code, then dial 973, the Bahrain country code, and finally, dial the 8-digit phone number.