My parents separated recently and my mom moved back to Nepal. I miss her so much and I want to be by her side as much as possible. I’m a student here in the states and cannot afford to make too many international calls. The internet speed at my mom’s is too slow and I cannot Skype regularly. Calling cards are very expensive. Is there any particular VoIP service or app I could use to call landline phones in Nepal?

Sorry to hear my friend, I can feel your love.
We don't have many choice as much as I know of beside viber/skype and calling cards.

Rather than spending too much money on phone cards here in US, it is better to send that money to your mom in Nepal to upgrade her internet service. Then you could either skype, or you can send her a magicjack plus. It is an investment upfront but you will recoup it pretty fast.

bro, use stana card.com , its sasto, ramro ani bhar pardo...

Ask your mom to call you by dialing 1424 and your US phone number. It is Rs 1.75 per minute.
That's what I have been doing for last two years. Calling from US to Nepal is expensive, but from Nepal to US is cheap.

Skype and Viber are good only if you opt for calling package but they don’t have good package to call Nepal .I just checked the pay as you go rates .It costs me more than calling cards :(

I used to spend $100-$110 a month to call my beloved ones using those shitty phone cards. They ripped me big time. I used raza.com and keku.com. Talking through those cards.. you never notice when an hour was spent and later checking on my log, it wasn't even an hour, they always rip you off by 10minutes or 2 min everytime you start a new call. They r damn fcking snitches..

So, I had them install wifi router and its one time investment, then after you can use viber to make call anytime. Saved hecuva money.

Don't ever think of spending on calling cards. For some emergency, they're okay but if you keep continuing to use it you'll be surprised how much money you spend a month.

And having them call you sounds reasonable but it's not practical for you since you are the one who's missing your mom and wanting to call her at your will.

I know back home In Nepal there are very few places which have fast internet .Since you mentioned you have to make calls to landline its better you opt for voip calling apps . Calling from US to Nepal is generally expensive but there are few apps on Google Play which cost you very little to make phone calls .I use this app Global Call costs me just 11 cents per minute .Why don’t you try that ?

Global Call ? I have never heard of this app .11 cents is pretty cheap .I always thought most of the apps are for smartphone users and cannot be used to call landlines. I tried to search for the website but there are many results with same name .

You can use Global Call to call landline phones and unlike other apps credits don't expire. I guess this link should help you download the app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lguplus.GCAClient

If you do the math it is cheaper to upgrade your cable service, inveter to have power to cable box and if you can , provide a cell that can use viber or magic jack or net talk duo. You can talk 24-7.
These things are on my thing to do list when I go home.

@ Athena Thanks for sharing the link. I just downloaded Global Call . The call rate to Nepal is 11 cents per minute which is cheaper than the calling card I use but since it’s a new app I'm little unsure if I would like to spending a lot of money on purchasing call credits.

@magorke1 I know about Magic jack but what I want to do is use my mobile internet connection to call my mom's landline phone in Nepal . My mom does not have a good working internet due to which I cannot use apps like Viber and Skype which require both of us to install it

If you are doubtful of using this app then this seems like a good time for a trial run . All you need to do is download Global Call and enter your ID for this event promotion http://www.globalcall-1plus1.com. Using this promotion you can purchase call credits and double it by entering your id to redeem the bonus credit.

I use Dial91 and it is 9 cents a minute to call Nepal. https://www.dial91.com/rates.aspx
They have very accurate billing (60 second pulse). Also the balance does not expire. They have free SMS from their website. It works most of the times, but my sister says she doesn't get the text once in a while. I would say it works 75% of the time, but its free. The only catch, you have to use a browser to text. They say they have an app but I have not used it yet.
Personally the best calling card yet for Nepal.

Anyone has better suggestions, please do share.

Thanks

Don’t try dial 91. I’ve tried it in the past .9 cents per minute looks like a cheap rate but when you check the website you’ll realize it’s a tedious process. First purchase the pin, then dial the local access or toll free access number, enter your PIN, Dial the phone number of the person you are calling and the cherry on the cake is they charge you  50 cents as transaction fee every time you recharge your pin  !!! Honestly spare yourself this hassle and use Global Call. All you need to do is download the app. Purchase credits and start calling. No hidden charges or transaction fee.

If you really want to make it easy as well cheap, ask someone to teach your mother how to  use calling card in Nepal and set up a mutual time you can be reached. It is only 6 rupees per minute direct call and less if used calling card vs 9 censt per minute and many times call does not go through, very static and you will be loosing money ( I did 4 dollars). If you think the call must start from yourside  ( most people who came to USA think that call must be made from him or her , is it a status quo issue?) my suggestion does not apply.

I feel you are being very judgemental here. Its not about status quo issue or whatever you are presuming .Calling cards are expensive in the long run and everybody who has used it would definitely agree with me . I don't wish to prolong this discussion any further its dragged on for too long . I appreciate all the suggestions provided by everyone on this forum . This app Global Call suggested by one of the forum users suits my bill at the moment . Though the regular call rate is 11 cents the promotional offer they are having at the moment where they are giving bonus credits brings it down to almost 5 cents which is as good as a Nepal calling card :)

Thanks a lot for the suggestion athena26 .

I noticed that Global Call offer is a one time offer and purchased $50 credits and entered my ID for that event which left me with $100 credits which won't expire and would last for quite sometime . I placed couple of calls over the weekend and must say call quality is pretty decent. I'd have never known about this app Global Call and few other alternatives if it weren't for this Forum on Sajha . Thanks everyone !!