AT&T international calling rates are very costly indeed. Several of my family members live abroad, and the cost to call was prohibitive. And the puiblished rates never seemed to match what appeared on my monthly bill.

My solution is to use a discount calling card that can be easily purchased online. Basically, companies buy up excess capacity from major suppliers very inexpensively and pass on the savings. For instance, to call my family members costs .17/minute on AT&T but under .05/minute using a discount card. I buy minutes in $5.00 alottments, which lasts me for quite a while. The downside is that you have to call an access number and then enter a lengthy PIN, which is supplied when you purchase the card. But the savings are definitely worth the trouble.

Put "prepaid phone calling cards" in google to find a list of suppliers. There are many to choose from.