Why is it difficult to call landlines from abroad without Skype?

It can be tricky depending on your location! Where are you trying to call? I've had good luck using Google Voice to call back to the States from abroad. It's handy and usually works well if you're connected to the internet.

WiFi calling is another option! It bypasses traditional phone lines and can save you some cash. Also, there's been a trend with phone services becoming easier to use for international dialing, so if you shop around, you might find a plan that's affordable.

Skype made it easy to connect between internet apps and the phone system, but there are other options out there. Services like Zoom can do similar things, though they might not be free. Some people use VoIP phone adapters to make calls back home, like Vonage. Also, enabling WiFi calling on your phone can help you make those calls without the extra costs.

It's not really hard to call from abroad; it’s just that it tends to be expensive and most phone providers disable international calling by default. But if you find the right carrier that supports these calls, it's more manageable. Plus, alternatives like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are popular in many places for voice calls.