Category Archives: Pingo Review

Pingo Update – New Discount Prepaid International Calling Rates

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| Comments Off

Wow! Check Out The NEW Discount Prepaid International Calling Rates!

New Rate Old Rate
Bulgaria – Mobile – Globul 15¢ 35¢
Bulgaria – Mobile – Mobiltel 15¢ 35¢
Bulgaria – Mobile – Mobiltel Premium 15¢ 35¢
Bulgaria – Mobile – Vivatel 15¢ 35¢
Finland – Mobile – Elisa 7.9¢ 12¢
Finland – Mobile – Finnet 7.9¢ 12¢
Finland – Mobile – Sonera  6¢ 12¢
France – Mobile – Bouygues 3.5¢ 7.5¢
France – Mobile – Free 3.5¢ 7.5¢
France – Mobile – Orange 3.5¢ 7.5¢
France – Mobile – SFR 3.5¢ 7.5¢
Germany – Mobile 12.5¢ 21.75¢
Germany – Mobile – Eplus 6.9¢ 21.75¢
Germany – Mobile – O2 6.9¢ 21.75¢
Germany – Mobile – T-Mobile 6.9¢ 21.75¢
Germany – Mobile – Vizestream 12.5¢ 21.75¢
Germany – Mobile – Vodafone 6.9¢ 21.75¢
Ireland – Mobile – H3G 12.5¢ 19¢
Ireland – Mobile – Meteor 8¢ 19¢
Ireland – Mobile – O2 8¢ 19¢
Ireland – Mobile – Vodafone 8¢ 19¢
Israel – Mobile 3.85¢ 5¢
Israel – Mobile 3.85¢ 5¢
Italy – Mobile 1.5¢ 24¢
Italy – Mobile – H3G 7.5¢ 24¢
Italy – Mobile – Telecom Italia 7.5¢ 24¢
Italy – Mobile – Vodafone 7.5¢ 24¢
Italy – Mobile – Wind 7.5¢ 24¢
Netherlands – Mobile – KPN 6.5¢ 23.75¢
Netherlands – Mobile – Lycamobile 6.5¢ 23.75¢
Netherlands – Mobile – Other 6.5¢ 23.75¢
Netherlands – Mobile – Telfort 6.5¢ 23.75¢
Netherlands – Mobile – T-Mobile 6.5¢ 23.75¢
Netherlands – Mobile – Vodafone 6.5¢ 23.75¢
Netherlands – Mobile – Vodafone 6.5¢ 23.75¢
Norway – Mobile – Netcom 6.9¢ 19¢
Norway – Mobile – Telenor 6.9¢ 19¢
Poland – Mobile – ERA 6.5¢ 7.5¢
Poland – Mobile – Orange Centertel 6.5¢ 7.5¢
Poland – Mobile – Play (P4) 9¢ 12.5¢
Poland – Mobile – PLUS 6.5¢ 7.5¢
Portugal – Mobile – Optimus 5¢ 24¢
Portugal – Mobile – TMN 5¢ 24¢
Portugal – Mobile – Vodafone 5¢ 24¢
Sweden – Mobile – H3G 4.5¢ 20¢
Sweden – Mobile – Other 4.5¢ 20¢
Sweden – Mobile – Tele2 4.5¢ 20¢
Sweden – Mobile – Telenor 4.5¢ 20¢
Sweden – Mobile – Telia 4.5¢ 20¢
Switzerland – Mobile – Lycamobile 14.9¢ 26¢
Switzerland – Mobile – Orange 14.9¢ 26¢
Switzerland – Mobile – Sunrise 14.9¢ 26¢
Switzerland – Mobile – Swisscom 12¢ 26¢
Switzerland – Mobile – Swisscom 12¢ 26¢
United Kingdom – Mobile – H3G 3.5¢ 9¢
United Kingdom – Mobile – O2 5.5¢ 9¢
United Kingdom – Mobile – Orange 5.5¢ 9¢
United Kingdom – Mobile – T-Mobile 5.5¢ 9¢
United Kingdom – Mobile – Vodafone 5.5¢ 9¢

As of Monday, July 16th, 2012 we have reduced many of our rates while still delivering you the same great value.

We work hard to monitor our prepaid International calling rates and look for opportunities for long term discount reductions in our price. We are interested in keeping you connected to family, friends, loved one through our Pingo services (on a phone line or on a Smartphone).

We monitor and keep you updated on rates through Pingo’s Ratewatcher.

RateWatcher™ saves you from the hassle of digging through piles of prepaid calling card offerings to see if you’re getting really low rates. RateWatcher actively monitors changing long distance costs around the world looking for opportunities for Pingo to bring you discount prepaid international calling rates. It’s an important part of our commitment to be the last phone service you’ll ever need to stay easily connected to the world.

Pingo® was created to give you the best value in discount prepaid international calling rates and service. Rates listed on this page as of 7/16/12. You can check out the latest rates here.

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The Advantages of Native Mobile Apps

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| Comments Off

Mobile phone apps are software developed for mobile devices that do specific tasks like playing music, games, and calendars, among others. There are two basic types of mobile phone apps: native applications and web applications. According to the Global Intelligence Alliance (GIA), native mobile phone apps are those designed to operate on a device’s operating system and firmware. Native apps also need to be modified for different devices. Web-based mobile phone apps, on the other hand, are those that need to be downloaded from the Web each time they are operated. These can only be used in web-capable mobile gadgets.

In recent years, due to rapid developments in HTML5 technologies, the difference between the web-based and native mobile phone apps is constantly decreasing.

However, in the end, native applications will prevail.

Here are some reasons why:

* Native mobile phone apps provide higher click through rate (CTR) among ad-serving publishers. A survey conducted among publishers that offer both native and web mobile apps revealed that publishers saw more than 100 percent higher volume usage and engagement on native phone apps than web apps.

* Native mobile phone apps are the preferred interface for heavier applications that usually run on a gadget’s internal memory, and those that use pay-per-download schemes. Games, for example, work best using native phone apps because of heavy graphic usage without the need to access resources through a browser.

* Native mobile phone apps are by far more secure because they do not need to connect to the Web or a network like web applications do.

* Mobile phones that power the applications will always be more powerful than the networks they run on. Giant mobile phone developers like Nokia, Samsung, and Apple are constantly introducing more and more powerful gadgets that suit native mobile phone apps more. To this day, the development of new and faster mobile devices still outpaces that of high speed networks.

* Another advantage of native mobile apps is that they drastically reduce the communication time between the server and the mobile device. Users can just create an app, such as a stock portfolio, in their phones and just update the stock prices daily. No more need to download and entire portfolio every day.

* Since native mobile apps reside in mobile devices already, users can launch them directly, without having to connect to the web. Native applications are made to operate independently of the web, or can even immobilize web functionality without ruining user experience. This is a great convenience especially if users live in a great metropolitan city like New York, where network congestion is very common.

* Native mobile phone apps promote brand loyalty. People who use a mobile application will usually rely on that application, trust it, and follow-through with updates and other developments.

* For native apps running on more powerful mobile devices, user experience is deeper, richer and more engaging than mobile apps. Native mobile phone apps running on a device that has higher screen resolution, greater memory, and easier navigation can provide users with a more interactive experience.

* This is only an informative intro guide to native mobile apps. Please reference authority mobile app publications for the latest trends before making your own purchasing decisions.

**Photograph “Library Mobile App” by DavidKing under Creative Commons Attribution

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International Calling Service Made Better by Technological Developments in Communications

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| Comments Off

Communication used to be difficult and expensive just a few decades ago. People used to spend lot of time and money just to place international calls. It was considered luxury. But with the advent of technology in the field of communications, international calling service has become simpler and more affordable.

With increased growth of economies, people have started moving to distant places for better job prospects which kept them away from their family, friends and relatives. This raised the need to make more international calls. Today, because of inexpensive and simple international calling services, the world has gotten smaller.

International calls are usually made using computers wherein different methods are used to place calls. But at times, it does happen that people who you need to call either do not have computers at their disposal or are still not familiar with using computers to communicate. But technology has been successful in bringing solutions to this issue and mentioned below are few ways wherein international calls can be made to people who do not have computers:

Landline: The conventional way of making internationals calls to people abroad when they don’t have computers at their disposal, is to use a landline phone. Landline phones are operated via the standard Public Switched Telephone Network. Making international calls using landlines is quite an expensive affair and the cost for it depends on the country where you are calling and your long distance calling plan. People who need to make frequent international calls to other countries can opt for special calling plans that are cheaper as compared to conventional landline phone charges.

Mobile phones and calling cards: Cell phones have captured the market globally and today every other person owns a mobile phone. With the advent of technology in the field of mobile communication, it has become common to make international calls using mobile phones. Today, several International call service providers offer a variety of different plans to match your budget. One such way to call overseas is by using cheap international calling cards. These phone cards are easily available at mobile outlets and one can choose from different cards assigned for different locations. Cheap international cards to call friends and relatives are very simple to use. An 11 digit code is imprinted on the card; one simply has to scratch the card to reveal the code number. The destination number is prefixed by this 11 digit code to place an international call. However virtual phone services have added new features to avoid having to use a pin code and now make quick speedy calls abroad with out even entering that long code or remembering the country code numbers abroad.

Access numbers: Another popular international calling service is the access number. Access numbers are made available through some online websites. Users simply have to register with the portal. Access numbers are designated on the basis of the country you are willing to call. To make the first call, users have to dial the local access number followed by a PIN and the destination landline or mobile number. Calls can be made depending on how much balance is left in the number. One can add to the balance through online payment portals or phone prompt authorization.  There is also auto recharge to ensure that you always have funds available to never end a great call early.

VOIP: VOIP – Voice over Internet Protocol is a widely used cheap mode of making international calls. Various portals offer different software that allow you to make calls using VOIP. VOIP technology helps people call overseas using traditional phones; all you need is an internet connection. A variety of different plans are available to make international calls using VOIP to match your budget. The only drawback of VOIP is that the quality of sound can sometimes break because of insufficient internet speed.

Pingo offers a 100% call quality service that has advanced features for pin-less speed dialing.

**Photograph “Random Landline @ Whole Foods” by Vic[tori]a Lesikar under Creative Commons Attribution

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Royalty Across the World

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| Comments Off

Throughout the world, there are various types of governments and constitutions that represent our homelands. Some have presidents, some have parliaments, and some rely on the representation of the people through the senate. However, royal monarchies have been around since the dawn of time, represented by the titles of their kings and queens who reign over the lands.

In a world where democracy and republics have become the popular style of governing, the image of the monarchy has fallen into the background, replaced by democratically governed bodies. And while these governments continue to work for the people, there is still a place in the public eye for the royalty that exists in the present day.

So first you may consider asking yourself if it is important to celebrate royalty. Why should we celebrate another country’s royal holidays? Perhaps you’re in a new country where the celebration is popularly celebrated. Shops close down and crowds gather to watch parades and enjoy festivals.

While there are those native to their own lands who feel strongly about supporting their royalty and what they represent to the people of the culture, it is also important to consider that royalty has an attraction for people throughout the world. The image of a queen or king can attract those that aren’t native to a nation, and these celebrations find their way into the world news, bringing the world a little closer together.

Under the constitution, Queen Elizabeth II of England has been a reigning figure over the United Kingdom for over half a century. The recent Jubilation Day was celebrated to commemorate the enduring reign of the Queen over more than just the nation of England. Sovereign nations throughout the world fall under the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Australia, Jamaica, Grenada, and Belize are just a few to list. In all, the Queen is head of sixteen sovereign states and is the head of the fifty-four member Commonwealth of Nations.

The recent call for celebration in England commemorated the standing sixty year reign, currently regarded as a Diamond Jubilation, which is the second longest reigning period in the history of the British Monarchy. Needless to say, it was a grand reason for celebration.

However, that is not the only holiday dedicated to the Queen. Australia celebrates the Queen’s birthday on the second Monday of June, commemorating a yearly celebration to honor the leading figure of their governing body. This national holiday is separate from the celebrations that take place in England, and are associated with festivities and entertainment.

Across the land and sea, Japan also dedicates its own day to honor their Emperor. Currently, Emperor Akihito’s birthday marks the celebration on December 23, but the royal holiday actually changes with each new emperor. Known as Tenno no Tanjobi, the celebration always changes to reflect the current emperor’s birthday and has so for the past 2000 years.

With a current government very similar to that of the British Monarchy, Japan’s emperor represents the image of the people and plays little role in the political governing of the nation. But on December 23rd, the festivities take off with public appearances and speeches offered by the emperor, accompanied by banners and flags to commemorate the legacy of the nation, not just the emperor.

There are also countries that celebrate what helped design and create their nation. Norway’s royal family recently celebrated their National Constitution Day on May 17th, which has been one of their biggest celebration events since 1814.

Everybody dresses in the best spring clothing because the spring-time atmosphere results in many outdoor festivities. Children enjoy hotdogs and ice cream while adults stick to cured meats and sausages. Breakfast parties are thrown prior to the parades and following festivities.

Though not considered royalty, even the Presidents of the United States have their own particular celebration to commemorate the services that the office of presidency provides for the people by the people. Other democracies and republics throughout the world also celebrate their own political figures, and though not dubbed the titles of kings and queens, the Office of the President is certainly something to celebrate too.

Regardless of where you are in the world, the celebration of royalty is largely popular, even amongst non-natives. Much like the popularity of the Queen of England’s Jubilee celebration, there were those that wanted to be there but couldn’t because they were traveling. For these reasons, international calling services allow you to stay in touch with your homeland celebrations, regardless of where you are. You’ll have the opportunity to stay in touch with your fellow natives so that you can always take a moment to celebrate your country’s royalty.

**Photograph “64509199 – Prince Harry and Lady Louise Windsor” by Loren Bentes under Creative Commons Attribution

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Republic Celebration Day – Ghana

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| Comments Off

Many countries throughout the world celebrate their great accomplishments of freedom and change. And why not celebrate such an important thing? Freedom is never free and should be graced with praise by those that have such a great opportunity in life.

To really understand where this freedom comes from, it is important to understand what a republic is. This government is founded on the principles in which decisions and laws are established based on the will of a significant portion of the people. In other words, the people have the power to do what they believe is necessary to maintain freedom and become a thriving nation.

For the inhabitants of Ghana, July 1 is the Republic Celebration Day, although this year, it will also be celebrated on July 2 as well. In order to commemorate the anniversary of 1960, when Ghana declared itself a Republic within the Commonwealth of Great Britain, this day has been designated specifically to Ghana, while many other countries also have their own specific Republic Celebration Days to commemorate their success for freedom.

Celebration:

While the majority of celebrative activities involves the rewarding of excellence, dedication, and the hard, selfless work of the citizens for their contributions towards the advancement of the republic nation, there are also the simple reflections that honor those that have dedicated their lives and efforts to strengthening the Republic of Ghana.

But the celebration doesn’t stop with the bolstering of flags, wreath decorating, and dinner parties. There are many more ways and opportunities in which the people can not only celebrate and honor their republic, but also ensure that the practice is passed on to the next generation.

While the freedom of the people brings a great deal of inspiration to all, it is also important to take the time to give thanks to the Almighty. National Republic day isn’t only a day of celebration, but also dedicated as a national prayer day as well.

As a practice of any free nation, it is the practice of the republic to vocalize their National anthem and patriotic songs to commemorate their nation.

In addition to festive celebrations, it is also essential that the quest for knowledge and education continue in order to help freedom find prominence in our culture, wherever we may be. Freedom is incredibly inspiring, providing the opportunity to dream, think, and believe whatever we will.

Keep in mind that freedom starts at birth, and must be taught to succeeding generations that will inevitably follow your path. Youth must be empowered to take on the roles of leadership needed to ensure the continuation of freedom for the people.

One of the main tasks of the Republic Celebration is to educate the youth concerning the roles they must play in society. In the Ghana Republic, the youth are allowed to participate in many levels of political policy, activities, and processes, although they often remain on the periphery, much like an internship that provides education and prepares them for the roles they will play later on in life.

Education continuously involves students across the nation, incorporating the practice of inter-school essay competitions and the celebration of national republican pastimes and practices. Within the education system, these beliefs are passed onto students so that they can carry on and succeed their leaders in the years to come.

Afar, yet celebrating your culture

While there aren’t many international celebrations for the nation of Ghana, those who have migrated to other parts of the world will want to remember the source of greatness that made them who they are. International calling services allow you to stay in contact regardless of where you may be in the world.

In America, the practice of many nations is found throughout the culture. While not prominently practiced due to the overwhelming cultural conglomerations, the celebrating of national and cultural heritage remains a popular practice throughout the country within similar communities.

One of the best ways to integrate and celebrate your own culture is to find similarities with the surrounding philosophies. By educating and sharing outside of your community, you empower the practice of Freedom, ensuring that it will continue on throughout the future generations of many cultures.

Celebrating your heritage isn’t just about reflecting on your own nation and what it has accomplished, but includes the essentiality of sharing it with the world around you. Share your freedom, hopes, dreams, and culture with those around you. When you give the world new opportunities, you will truly understand what it means to celebrate Ghana’s Republic Day.

We happily serve many in staying connected with their family and friends in Ghana.  We at Pingo.com wish all the Ghanians a very happy Republic Day!

**Photograph “Ghana – The Black Stars” by Amanda Rykoff under Creative Commons Attribution

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Lifetime Winners!

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| Comments Off

Have you heard of Pingo yet? If you’re looking for great rates, excellent service, and clear call quality for international calls, then Pingo’s for you. It’s one of the best prepaid international calling services available today, enabling you to talk to family, friends, and even do business over the phone internationally.

Back in 2004, when Pingo was first launched, they gave out free minutes for life to two lucky winners. These two winners received $2,000 Pingo phone credit valid for life. We interviewed the winners and asked them how they are finding the free Pingo services that they had won.

The first winner is Fred Schlette and he is all praises for Pingo. He’s been a customer for 6 to 7 years and he calls Colombia the most. His favorite features of Pingo include Pingo Soft Phone, Pingo EZ Dial, Pingo Speed Dial, and PINPass Numbers. He raves about the Call History feature, which lets him see all the calls he has made in the past so he can easily call them again. He also enjoys the Recharge feature which automatically recharges his account so he doesn’t have to worry about suddenly getting disconnected while on a call.

Being Pingo’s lifetime winner has really changed his life. Since he has many family members spread out in different countries, Pingo has really made it easy and convenient for him to keep in touch with them. He enjoys the different advantages that using Pingo offers, such as the fact that he doesn’t have to recall any numbers since Pingo remembers them for him, as well as the fact that Pingo lets him use his home number as his account number, which makes it easy for him to recall.

He is also very happy with Pingo’s customer service. Whenever he has a problem, whatever issue he has is always resolved in less than 5 minutes. Because of his love for Pingo, he is even willing to have potential customers call him to hear about what he has to say about Pingo.

For him, “easy to use and easy to remember” is what sums up Pingo. His message to anyone considering signing up for Pingo is: “Do it! You will not be disappointed.”

Our second Pingo lifetime winner requested that we honor his privacy and not use his name or information, but we still interviewed him to see how he’s enjoying his award. This anonymous winner uses Pingo to promote pilgrimages to the Holy Land and other holy sites in the world. He considers winning this prize a blessing as he is able to share his message to more people.

He’s been a Pingo customer for 8 years now and he mostly calls Israel, Rome, Fatima and Lourdes. Some of his favorite features of Pingo include easy international dialing and speed dial. He also loves that it gives him the ability to call home often.

Being a lifetime winner of Pingo has changed his life by helping him make all his
important calls easily and so that he can better promote pilgrimages to holy lands. After successfully using Pingo in his first pilgrimage to Israel, he told other people about the service and to date, he has always seen the 3 telephone booths at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem with a line of pilgrims calling home using Pingo.

To those considering to sign up for Pingo, he says that it’s easy to use and a great way to connect with your family if they’re apart from you.

Winning a lifetime of free calls at Pingo has truly made a large impact on these two people’s lives. You yourself can also enjoy the excellent international call services at a very affordable rate by signing up to Pingo as well.

You don’t have to worry about any hidden charges or fees as the rate you see is the rate you pay. Pingo also offers a satisfaction guarantee or your money back, so you can try their services without any risk of dissatisfaction.

Using Pingo Soft phone for web dial calls from 200 countries will only cost you 1.8 cents per minute. Imagine that? So be sure to try Pingo’s services today… you never know – it just might change your life, too.

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Celebrating Democracy Day in Nigeria

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| 1 Comment

Throughout the vast number of nations around the world, many have fought for their political rights and beliefs. Over time, and through the efforts of the people, nations become what they have endeavored to achieve.

Nigeria’s democratic government

For the country of Nigeria, the struggle for freedom took many years of perseverance to achieve. As political powers constantly changed hands, it wasn’t until the return of democracy in Nigeria on May 29, 1999, that Democracy Day was established as a national holiday throughout the land.

Since then, democratic parties have elected their officials and made progressive efforts to create a free society in which people can share and express their ideas and speak freely about them. With this great step, freedom has reached the hearts of each individual, cultivating new ideas and ways of helping their nation and those around them.

A great day for freedom

For Nigeria, this celebration is much like Independence Day for the United States, Russia Day for the Russia, or Fiestas Patrias for Mexico. The people gather together to celebrate their freedom, like many other countries throughout the world.

The difference between many countries like the United States and Nigeria is that the celebration is not about independence from outside forces or other nations, but rather is the celebration of the achievement of freedom from those that oppressed from within the very country. The structure of the democratic parties allows for the people to choose the direction they want to move in, giving the power back to the people. And that is where the celebration starts.

Take a moment to celebrate your democracy

You can start by playing your part to help stimulate your economy. Ask yourself what things you can do to work with the surrounding community.

Many Nigerians support their churches, embracing one of the many democratic rights they have. Others take an active interest in the surrounding political communities. Here their words can influence others to become active in the direction of their nation. You can help create value in your community by raising awareness of democracy and how it benefits the people.

It is also important to take the time to remember those that have made great sacrifices in the pursuit of freedom. Soldiers, both past and present, have played an essential role in not only achieving, but also protecting the hopes and dreams of the people.

For those who have relocated to other countries, it is still important to take the time to remember your heritage and share your beliefs with a new community. In many countries, democracy has become a solid state of political stature and plays an essential part in governing bodies. Celebrating Democracy day doesn’t stop when you leave your homeland of Nigeria, it travels with you and should be shared with others around the world.

Patriotism to your homeland is always appreciated, regardless of where you have moved to or are maybe just visiting for a time. Though many people travel and settle in countries across oceans and continents, you can never forget who you are and where you came from. Staying in contact is one of the first steps to remembering those that share your culture and belief in freedom. International calling services provide the easiest access to friends and family, regardless of where you or they may be in the world. Through a prepaid international calling service, you can always keep in touch with your heritage and culture, wherever you may travel to in the world.

As the ascent democracy nears its 13 years of practice in Nigeria, there is great cause for celebration amongst those who appreciate the freedom and hope that their nation has given them. The opportunity to speak your mind and make a difference in what direction the country as a whole will move, whether it is internally economic or through associations with countries around the world. People, regardless of their relative locations should all take a moment to celebrate the freedom and strength to the people that democracy provides. And though we all have our own unique ways of celebrating, be it fireworks or making a difference in our communities, democracy is something we all can celebrate today.

**Photograph “Nigeria Flag Northumberland Avenue” by Dennoir under Creative Commons Attribution

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Celebrating Uganda Martyr’s Day in the U.S.

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| 2 Comments

Countries and cultures throughout the world celebrate dates, people, and ideas that have shaped the world they live in. For countries like Uganda, changes in culture have affected the nation and its inhabitants in many different ways.

Religiously, one of the most celebrated occasions in Uganda is their national Martyr’s Day. While it may seem like it would only affect the country, the people are the true carriers of culture and ideals. As people migrate and journey throughout the world, we find ourselves learning more about how places and people affect us wherever we are.

A sacrifice made

From 1885 to 1887, Charles Lwanga and his groups of companions were oppressed and condemned for their Roman Catholic religious stance. At the time, the current political struggle had found them to be a threat to their own stance, resulting in the deaths of a great many religious followers who would not renounce their faith.

Pope Paul VI later canonized their names amongst the martyrs, affirming the importance of their struggle and stance for their beliefs. Since then, June 3 has been a day dedicated to the memory of these martyrs who gave everything they had so that others might also believe. One of the largest martyr collectives in the world, this occasion sets Uganda’s celebration amongst the great historical notes. Since then, Uganda’s population has grown to over seventy-five percent Christian, most of who are of catholic belief.

A long journey home

Because of the powerful effect these martyrs had on the Ugandan religious heritage, many Ugandan natives undergo a pilgrimage back to their homeland from countries across the globe. From distant lands, these pilgrims navigate their way to the Namugongo Holy Shrine, which is where the 22 Catholic martyrs are remembered for their bravery and stand against tyrannical figures that struggled to oppress their beliefs. Throughout the nation, celebrations are held, but for most of the devout, the pilgrimage is of great importance.

While many native Ugandans will partake in the journey, not everyone is able to make the pilgrimage. Many Novenas are practiced in the days and moments leading up to the climactic celebration, and these can be practiced at participating dioceses. You may take the time to discuss your own localized celebration with your church, and also make efforts to contact fellow Ugandans to organize your own celebration.

For those that do make the journey, staying in contact during a pilgrimage is important for not only safety, but to enable those who could not make it to partake in the celebration. Those abroad can share the moments of celebration with friends and family throughout the world.

This June, we remember those who laid down their lives for what they believed was right. As a result, people throughout the world have the opportunity to practice their own religious beliefs without persecution. While making the pilgrimage is an important part of culture, it is not always a viable option for everyone. So, we do what we can to remember and celebrate the heritage of Uganda.

About Pingo:

Calling home can be easy and inexpensive! Pingo’s Prepaid International Calling Service offers great rates on international and domestic long distance calls along with unbeatable quality, simplicity and convenience. Pingo offers 100% call quality and money back guarantee to ensure a risk free service that you can rely on. Pingo is proud to maintain over a 95% customer retention rate earned from exceptional customer service available 7 days a week. You can follow Pingo on Twitter at @Telephonecard or on Facebook at http://facebook.com/YoPingo

**Photograph ”Uganda” by Hannah.Copeland under Creative Commons Attribution

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National Heroes’ Day

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| 2 Comments

Heroes are remembered throughout history. People do what they think is right, even though it sometimes comes at great cost. But the outcome often brings about great changes in the world, providing a brighter future for us all.

And so, on June 9th, Ugandan heroes are born and remembered by those whose lives they’ve affected. For the country of Uganda, the celebration of National Heroes’ Day is a time to remember those who have worked to liberate and progressively better the nation. Many people remember those that made sacrifices for the Ugandan people, ideally taking into consideration the fallen soldiers of the civil war that took place from 1981 to 1985. Soldiers and leaders who had made great sacrifices to create a better world take their place in the hearts of the people.

Of course, there are those that strive to remember all other types of heroes, such as the Ugandan doctor Matthew Lukwiya who detected a deadly Ebola outbreak before it spread. He fought to contain the contagion before it spread uncontrollably throughout the nation. As a result of his selfless efforts, countless lives were saved.

Celebrating your Heroes

Organizing cultural performances is one of the best ways to celebrate National Heroes’ Day. Heroes are unique to each land, so traditions, foods, and festivals should be practiced on this day to commemorate the heroes of your homeland.

One of the best ways to remember your nation’s heroes is to learn your cultural and national history. Take the time to research the people that went that extra distance to create a better world for us to live in. And always remember that heroes come in all sizes, both big and small. Even our fathers and mothers make sacrifices to ensure a better world for us, so be sure you remember them as well.

Of course, traveling abroad can leave you removed from your family, home, and culture, making such celebrations difficult. Regardless of where you are, you can always find a way to remain in touch with your culture. International calling services allow you to contact your home and family, acting as a constant reminder of the heroes that provided you with all the great opportunities you have today. By utilizing prepaid calling services, both you and your family can share these important dates, despite the distance that divides.

Heroes across the world

Many countries and cultures across the world also have their own dedicated National Heroes’ Day. United Kingdom, Barbados, Cape Verde (also known as known as Hari Pahlawan) in Indonesia, Mozambique, Namibia, Philippines, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Jamaica are just some of the countries that each have their own unique day and reasons for remembering their heroes. While the differences of dates, names, and personalities and purposes differ throughout the world, the reason we remember our heroes will always be the same. We take the time, even if it is just one day a year, to remember these people that helped to make the world a better place, which is really what we’re all here to do.

Looking for ways to save in calling home?

Pingo is a prepaid calling service that offers great rates on international and domestic long distance calls along with unbeatable quality, simplicity and convenience. Pingo offers 100% call quality and money back guarantee to ensure a risk free service that you can rely on. Pingo is proud to maintain over a 95% customer retention rate earned from exceptional customer service available 7 days a week. You can follow Pingo on Twitter at @Telephonecard or on Facebook at http://facebook.com/YoPingo

**Photograph ”American Heroes Celebration” by Texas Military Forces under Creative Commons Attribution

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Save More through Pingo Promos

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Pingo Blog Editor| 1 Comment

Pingo continues to provide great quality international phone calls at affordable rates. With a trusted iBasis network that delivers over 1.3 billion minutes every month, the company wants to ensure that all customers are always satisfied with their calls. On top of this great service, Pingo offers different promos for all its customers that allow them to save more money.

Pingo International Calling Card Promos

Pingo wants to reward its customers by giving out promos that will allow them to get more calling minutes just by recharging. This is an easy way for customers to get more value out of their money. Just imagine getting more minutes by paying for the same amount you usually pay for. Pingo always posts their deals on their website. When you visit Pingo.com, you will instantly see their latest offers.

Mother’s Day Special

A few weeks ago, Pingo released a mother’s day promo allowing customers that recharged from May 9 to May 14 an extra 25% value that they could use to call their mothers. It was a one-time offer that a lot of customers took advantage of. According to the iBasis telecom network, customers used 80, 460, 596 minutes during Mother’s Day 2011 and expected that number to be even larger for this year!

This year, the company ran an internal employee contest to guess the year’s highest number of minutes in a day. An employee guessed 80,800, 500, the closest to the actual mother’s day minutes last May 8.

The mother’s day promo provided more call minutes to those who wanted to greet and catch up with their moms. You never know how important it is for our moms to receive a call from us especially when they know that we are busy. A few extra minutes of talking to them makes a huge difference. Because we value our customers, we want to make sure that they can also reach out to those who are valuable to them at the most affordable rate possible while providing seamless connections.

Latest Promo

Pingo has a running promo right now that gives new customers 50% free value when they sign up for $20 worth of calls. This promo will run up to the end of the month so if you have been looking for a reliable international calling service, this is your chance to experience hassle-free service. If you have plans to travel abroad, the Pingo website has a rate watcher that gives you calling rates from one country to another. Your $20 will go a long way!

Pingo has a 95% retention rate which shows that customers are happy with the services given. In addition, we want to continue giving customers what they need from an international prepaid calling service and more by giving money-saving promos to ensure that customers are given even more value for the affordable rates they are already paying. So head on to Pingo.com today to view the latest promos and start saving!

**Photograph ”Global Prepaid Phone Card Minutes” by Pingo.com

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