How do calling cards work?

In simple term calling cards are basically plastic cards likes a credit card or a sales receipt bearing a list of local connection numbers for different areas. It allows you to access the main server at no extra long-distance fee. A convenient way to make long-distance calls. Phone cards are available anywhere-convenience stores, newsstands to a lot of online retailers- accessed with very little effort.

Most of the calling cards are prepaid offering even credits of extra calls if necessary and emergency. The prepaid calling card credit system allows use the card depending on the policy of the calling card telecommunication system that is chosen. The majority of calling cards today are a prepaid credit system giving time credit that can be purchased at customer’s convenience. This enables the customer to use it till the time runs out. Some of them have an option to add more minutes to the card.

Pre-paid phone cards are bought in denominations as $5, $10, $20 etc.

Callers can then use the card to call from any telephone to either local or International.

How does it work?

1. Select a calling card online
2. Sign up using protected registration form and pay with your credit/debit cards safely online

3. Receive calling PIN & instructions to the screen and a copy to e-mail address and start talking instantly. Some cards provide a PINless option

4. The customer pays for connection time in advance

5. The process completes within seconds, the customer can start making calls instantly
6. Lets dial access number.
7. Enter PIN and wait for a prompt
8. Dial country code or area code and phone number, speak

Validity period of the card will be some months for example 3 months. Prepaid phone card should be used within this period of first use. Permanent calling PIN card has recharge option. Its validity period is unlimited, but card expires if not recharged within specified time.

Rounding is the basic unit for measuring the duration of a phone call. On your card-

1. If rounding is 1 min, your call time will be rounded up to 11 minutes
2. If rounding is 3 min, your call time will be rounded up to 12 minutes

Higher the rounding period, less you save.

Payphone surcharges

Some payphone providers charge pre-paid cards. this is done by an upfront surcharge or a price/min surcharge.

Maintenance charges

Some cards have a daily maintenance charge. Some don’t.

PINless calling

Some cards provide PIN less calling. It is a service registering phone numbers online. The system recognizes the number without calling PIN code. 6 - 10 phone numbers could be registered. No charges for this.

Advantages of calling cards over POTS:

1. Lets you call from any phone, including cellular, home, office, payphone etc
2. Lets you call from any location in the world
3. PIN less calling
4. Recharging is instant and simple. Enables automatic recharging
5. Control over expenses. Modify your billing increase using automatic recharge option
6. 24/7 Customer service.