Using a US phone number makes it easy for people in the US and Canada to reach them. They also know that people who hesitate to dial international numbers are more willing to call a conventional US phone number.

And, of course, many companies in the world would like to have US and Canadian customers. So they can now show a US presence without having to create and man an office there. And they can have numbers in numerous major cities!

For example: A fishery in Costa Rica wants to easily reach the vast US market. They subscribe for a US phone number and have it ring to their main office in San Jose, Costa Rica. And they can allow Canadian callers to reach them just as easily for just a few cents more.

Or a software designer in China would like customers in the US to feel it is easy for them to converse with the designers as needed. They would likewise get a US phone number that rings directly to their design studio in Shanghai.

But these are still uses for US numbers that ring overseas.

There is also a burgeoning market for international business owners that want toll free numbers in other countries to communicate with their customers and clients AND establish a professional presence in globally.

A US forwarding number (called call-my-us-number) ( http://www.globaltollfree.us/callmyusnumber.htm ) can be directed to any phone or cell phone number worldwide. There is typically no setup fee and the monthly fee is usually under $5. The per minute rates are dependent upon the country to which your number is forwarded. Calls terminating to a mobile phone are typically much higher cost than regular landlines. This is because the terminating countries charge the carriers a higher cost to terminate a cellular call. For a bona fide global business, a business traveler, or anyone residing outside the US with need for US callers to reach them easily and cost effectively this service is terrific.