Why Do International Calls Sometimes Take Longer to Connect? 8 Reasons + Fixes 2026 

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When you want to talk to someone at home and after 30 seconds of ringing  you hear… “The number you are calling is not available” 

Nothing is more frustrating than trying to reach your family, and the call just won’t connect. You’re already stressed. You just want to hear their voice. 

Whether you’re a student in Manchester calling home, an expat in London checking in after work, or a family in Birmingham with elderly parents, this guide is for you. 

The good news: 8 out of 10 slow connections are on your end and fixable in under 2 minutes. 

Let’s get you connected faster. 

Why Do International Calls Take Longer Than UK Calls? 

A local UK call connects in 2-3 seconds. 

An international call to Europe, the Middle East, or Asia can take 10-20 seconds. 

Why? 

Because your voice has to travel through 4-6 different networks across countries, undersea cables, and servers before it reaches the other phone. 

For Students: “I’m on university Wi-Fi and it takes forever” 

For Expats: “After my night shift I just want a quick call, not a 20-second wait” 

For Elderly: “I press dial and I don’t know if it’s working” 

For UK Travellers in Europe: “I’m in France and calls home take ages to start” 

Think of it like posting a letter. A letter to next door arrives today. A letter to Asia takes longer because it passes through more sorting offices. 

Let’s speed it up. 

The 8 Reasons + Fixes for Slow Call Connection 

Step 1: Check Your Internet Speed and Stability 

The Problem: Weak Wi-Fi or poor 4G is the #1 reason calls take long to connect. The app keeps trying to find a stable route. 

The Fix:  

1. Run a speed test on fast.com. You need 2Mbps upload and download minimum for HD calls. 

2. If Wi-Fi has less than 2 bars, switch to 4G/5G. If 4G is only 1 bar, switch to Wi-Fi. 

3. Avoid public Wi-Fi in cafes. It’s shared and slow at peak times. 

Why this matters: A call to the Middle East needs a stable connection both in the UK and on their end. If yours is weak, the system takes longer to negotiate the connection. 

Step 2: Close Background Apps and Downloads 

The Problem: Netflix, cloud backup, app updates, and TikTok are eating your bandwidth in the background. 

The Fix: 

1. Force close all apps except Talk Home. 

2. Pause any downloads or updates. 

3. On iPhone: Swipe up. On Android: Use “Close All”. 

Why this matters: International call setup needs priority. If your phone is uploading photos to the cloud, the connection handshake gets delayed. 

Step 3: Restart the Talk Home App 

The Problem: Apps running for days get memory lag. The connection protocol slows down. 

The Fix: 

1. Force close Talk Home completely. 

2. Reopen it and try again. 

3. If it still takes long, restart your phone. 

Why this matters: This clears the cache and forces a fresh connection to the nearest server. Think of it as hanging up and redialling, but for the app itself. 

Step 4: Check Time of Day and Network Congestion 

The Problem: Calling at 6pm UK time is peak time in Europe and evening time in Asia. Everyone is online. 

The Fix: Best times to call:  

• Europe: 10am-4pm UK time 

• Middle East: 9am-12pm and 8pm-10pm UK time  

• Asia: 8am-11am UK time 

Avoid: Sundays for Middle East, 6pm-9pm UK time for Asia 

Why this matters: Less network traffic = faster routing = quicker connection. Networks prioritise calls when they’re not congested. 

Step 5: Use Network Calling Instead of App-to-App 

The Problem: App-to-app calls rely on both sides having good internet. If one side has poor Wi-Fi, the connection takes ages. 

The Fix: Use a calling app that routes through mobile networks, not just the internet. 

Talk Home way: “Network calls connect via traditional phone lines. So even if their internet is poor, the call connects in seconds.” 

Why this matters: This is crucial for calling landlines and elderly relatives who don’t have fast internet. The call connects like a normal UK call. 

Step 6: Update the App and Your Phone 

The Problem: Old versions of apps use slower connection protocols. 

The Fix: 

1. Go to App Store / Google Play. Update Talk Home. 

2. Go to Settings > Software Update. Update your phone. 

Why this matters: Updates include faster routing algorithms and bug fixes for international connection delays. 

Step 7: Check Location and Signal 

The Problem: Basements, bathrooms, and internal rooms have poor signal. 

The Fix: 

1. On Wi-Fi: Sit near the router. 

2. On 4G/5G: Go near a window or outside. 

3. Turn Airplane Mode on for 10 seconds, then off. This forces your phone to find the strongest tower. 

Why this matters: 1 extra bar of signal can cut connection time from 20 seconds to 4 seconds. 

Step 8: Test with a 30-Second Call First 

The Problem: You dial for an important 20-minute call, and it takes forever to connect. You’re stressed before you even start. 

The Fix: 

1. Do a quick “test call” first.  

2. Say “Test 1-2-3”. If it connects fast, hang up and call back for the proper chat. 

3. If it’s slow, run through Steps 1-4 before the real call. 

Why this matters: Saves you the frustration of waiting during an emotional conversation. 

Wi-Fi vs 4G vs Network Calls – What Connects Fastest? 

App-to-App | Both have excellent Wi-Fi | 8-15 seconds | Elderly with basic internet 

Quick Diagnosis – Why Is It Taking So Long? 

Slow for all international calls | Outdated app | Update Talk Home and your phone 

Real Stories – “I Fixed It By…” 

Amina, Student Leeds: “Calls to Asia were taking 25 seconds to connect. I realised my roommate was streaming Netflix. I started calling before 7pm and now it connects in 4 seconds.” 

Mohammed, Care Worker Birmingham: “After night shifts I’d call home and it would ring forever. Switched from app-to-app to network calling. Now it connects almost instantly, even when their Wi-Fi is slow.” 

Mrs. Khan, London: “My son in Europe showed me to restart the app before calling. I used to wait and wait. Now it works first time.” 

When It’s NOT Your Fault 

Sometimes the delay is between the international networks themselves. 

Signs it’s a network issue: 

1. All calls to that region are slow for 24-48 hours 

2. Your speed test is fine but calls are still slow 

3. Friends using different apps have the same issue 

What to do: 

1. Wait 24 hours and try again 

2. Contact Talk Home Support 24/7 – App > Help > Live Chat 

3. We can route your call through a different international pathway 

With “12M+ calls connected each month” we monitor these routes 24/7. 

FAQ – Call Connection Issues 

Q: Is 10 seconds normal for an international call? 

A: Yes. UK to Europe/Asia/Middle East typically takes 4-10 seconds. If it’s over 20 seconds, use the 8 steps above. 

Q: Does calling from France or Spain affect connection time? 

A: Slightly. You’re adding one more network hop. Use Wi-Fi and the Talk Home app for fastest results. 

Q: Why are network calls faster than app-to-app? 

A: Network calls use established phone lines. App-to-app has to negotiate internet routes on both sides, which takes longer. 

Q: Will 5G make international calls connect faster? 

A: Yes. 5G has lower latency. But you still need 2Mbps+ and good signal. 

Q: My elderly mum struggles with this. Any tips? 

A: Set her phone to use network calling, show her to call from near the router, and save key contacts with photos so she just taps to dial. 

The Real Reason Connection Speed Matters 

Because when you’re homesick, 20 seconds feels like 20 minutes. 

Because you don’t want to miss bedtime stories. 

Because “I’m okay” should not take half a minute to arrive. 

Fast connection = feeling close, instantly. 

Final Checklist – Before Your Next International Call 

1. Internet speed tested? 2Mbps+ 

2. Other apps closed? 

3. App restarted? 

4. Calling during off-peak hours? 

5. Near router or window? 

6. Using network calling for reliability? 

Do this and your calls will connect in under 5 seconds, 9 times out of 10. 

Download the Talk Home App for Faster Connections 

Stop waiting. Start talking. 

Home is one fast connection away. 

Talk Home as You Roam. Talk Home While You Roam.