I use prepaid long distance cards to make calls to that part of the world. Iran for example comes out to be $0.7 to $0.9cent/min (depending on landline or cell

I use prepaid long distance cards to make calls to that part of the world. Iran for example comes out to be $0.7 to $0.9cent/min (depending on landline or cell number) compared to the Skype's $0.12/min. The card provider is Goldline, see rates here http://www.goldline.net/prepaidPC-bitaUSA.aspx http://www.goldline.net/prepaidPC-bitaUSA.aspx It's very difficult to find a cheap phone-to-phone option in those regions. Telecoms shake down any foreign providers for ridiculous fees.