BASICS FOR BEGINNERS!
Phone cards are prepaid telephone calling cards. They allow users to place calls from almost any phone without the hassle of carrying coins or paying high credit card or hotel access fees.
Phone cards originated in Italy in 1976.
Europeans found them advantageous in several ways:
Phone cards, sometimes referred to as "telecards", were introduced in the US in 1993 and have become popular not only for their convenience but also for their collectible value.
No. The term "calling card" generally refers to a credit-based card used to place long distance calls. Users are billed for calls on a monthly basis and payment is made after the calls are placed. the time available on the phone card has been paid for in advance, so callers never receive a bill.
The value of a prepaid card is usually indicated on the front of the card for example $5, $10 or $20. Some prepaid cards refer to "units", which generally equal one minute of phone time. An international call may cost two or more units per minute.
No. In te U.S. cards may store data regarding the time available directly on the card itself or in a remote computer. Cards which store data are often referred to as "remote memory" cards. Because the phone time is accessed by dialing a toll-free number and entering a personal identification number (PIN), calls may be placed from nearly any touch-tone phone. Remote memory cards are the most common in the U.S.
Cards that store the data directly on the card in an electronic circuit, chip, magnetic strip or optical stripe are sometimes referred to as "smart" cards because the "smarts" are in the cards. these types of cards only can be used in phones equipped with special readers. Many European and Asian cards use this method. In the U.S., Nynex and U.S. West are among those issuing "smart" cards.
Savings:
Phone card users generally pay the same rate-per-minute regardless of the distance or time of day. There are no additional access fees or surcharges and no rate increase for peak calling periods. Credit-based calling cards virtually alwas charge more during peak times.
On short duration calls - those lasting 6-7 minutes or less - prepaid card rates can offer significant savings over standard long distance calling card rates. However, the rates on most prepaid cards make them a poor alternative to coins when placing local call.
Convenience:
When away from home or business, a prepaid phone card makes placing a long distance call convenient from any phone.
Security:
If a prepaid card is lost, the loss is limited to the amount of time left on the card. In contrast, losing a credit calling card may subject the cardholder to unlimited expenses until the card is canceled.
Almost anywhere. Supermarkets, drug and convenience stores, gas stations and check cashing stores all sell prepaid phone cards. A growing number of national discount stores, along with an increasing number of retail dealers, are selling telecards.
Most major long distance carriers and regional phone companies sell phone cards. Other telecommunications companies offer specialized cards and services that meet the needs of their individual clients.
Phone cards may also be packaged pr given away as a premium with other products or offered free in order to introduce consumers to their value and convenience.
It's simple!
1. Dial the toll-free access number printed on the back of the card.
2. Enter the personal identification number (PIN) porinted on the back of the card.
3. Dial the number of the person you want to call.
It's that easy! Even though the process is simple, most phone cards offer voice prompts to direct callers through the steps. Typically, cards also will offer voice prompts that let you know the amount of time remaining on the card, when the time is about to expire and how to use other features on the card.
* You may have used all the time on the card and will need to recharge it or purchase another card.
* Check for an expiration date. Not all cards expire, but if they do the date should be clearly printed on the back of the card.
* Check the back of your telecard for a customer service number and call it.
* If none of these options is appropriate, call the International Telecard Association's Consumer Hotline at 800-958-7824.
Plenty! Many phone cards are rechargeable, meaning that more time may be added to them, usually by dialing a customer service number and entering the amount of time you wish to purchase and a credit card number.
Some cards offer added services such as stock and weather updates, information about sporting and musical events, fax on demand, voice mail and even Internet access. cards have been used to access specially tailored information renging from messages recorded by political candidates to the latest figures on the survival rates of endangered species.
A grwoing number of people collect cards because of their interesting designs, shapes and vibrant colors. Unlike credit cards, the front of phone cards often feature appealing art or photography- everything from race cars and movie stars to jumbo puzzles and pastoral scenes. Though many are plastic or laminated paper, some have been made with woods and precious metal.
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