How do overseas calls get there?

Question

How do they get from A to B?

Is it by sat, underwater phoneline, or other means?

Answer 1

The same way as local calls technically.  You pick up your phone and dial a number, it's sent through the lines to a local exchange that houses all the phone lines for your area, from there the switch routes it to a larger, main exchange.   Then depending on where the call is going it gets either routed to another, larger exchange or to an international exchange.  Since you are asking about over seas calls, it will go to the international exchange.  The call is then sent to the other country via undersea cables or a Satellite system.  

Once the call reaches that countries international exchange, it's routed to a smaller main exchange, then to a local exchange for the persons neighborhood then to their home where the phone rings and they say 'Bonjour!'.  Basically once it reaches the other country it takes the backwards path that you took with your initial call out of your home.

Answer 2

unicorns

Answer 3

Satellite and undersea cables.

Both are currently used.  There are different interference problems with each.  Together, they complement each other.

Answer 4

pigeons

Answer 5

Mostly via satellite, Underwater is used  from one location to other areas without sat

Answer 6

Cable running acros the ocean floor.

Answer 7

i think the ionosphere bounces radio frequences.

Answer 8

There are satellite phones but they are pretty expensive - more for the James Bond type or say Tom Cruise.

Phonelines, properly insulated, actually were laid across oceans on the ocean floor and across seas and channels connecting country to country, as amazing at that sounds.