Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.True or false
'The US has the best phone system in the world'
False, at least if you are trying to make an international call. A payphone on every street corner may be the mark of a civilised society, but the poor traveller trying to call home to say "I've arrived /been mugged/fallen in love" will find the world's highest density of telephones to be of precious little comfort.
Finding a phone is the easy bit. Procuring a hatful of quarters (25c coins) to fund the first three minutes is trickier, and aggravating in the extreme when you find the ansaphone has been left on . You pay for a minimum of three minutes, whatever happens.
Prepaid phonecards, as used everywhere in the world from Turkey to Venezuela, are little known in the USA. There are alternatives. The BT or Mercury telephone credit card, for example. But beware the "phone surfer" looking over your shoulder. He may be clocking your card number, and proceed to use it to phone home at your expense.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments