International Calls

Using an International Calling Card: Save on Domestic Calls

October 22, 2009

Advanced international calling cards are quickly catching on as a viable option for domestic long-distance communications solution. One draw is the ability to use the same calling card for all your international calling destinations. From Orange, Massachusetts to Orange, California, the prepaid phone cards are here to help you wring out more from every dollar spent on telecommunications.

To take advantage of this increased versatility, however, callers with frequent destinations in Eastern Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, to name a few, must take the time to research the telecom companies’ offerings. The myriad of choices out there certainly complicate the phone card selection process by the sheer volume of information that the customer is supposed to plow through to get the best combination of rates and features.

The better calling card companies anticipate those difficulties and address them right on the main page of their website. The feature that is most useful in providing detailed information on the best phone card to use internationally and domestically is known as the best rate finder. Use this feature to intelligently monitor and control such key parameters as maintenance fees, the billing increments, and of course the per-minute rate. A well-designed rate finder also provides guidelines on optimizing your overall long-distance expenditures by presenting you with a slew of prepaid phone cards, typically stacked in the order of the best overall calling card for the destination in question.

Prepaid phone card users should do their best to research the rates and other important calling card features that maximize savings and minimize connection problems. One way to do that is to go with a telecommunications company that offers the latest in phone card features, such as PIN-less dialing, preprogrammed speed dial and unique call-back-to-the-U.S. access numbers. Callers should also heed business practices, such as availability of live customer support including multilingual support.

Consider, for example, a typical phone card user who has friends and family strewn far and wide across the U.S. and the world or a businessperson with contacts on every continent. If you select one or two prepaid phone card products based on the criteria described above, chances are that most of your international and domestic calling needs are going to be fulfilled to a T. Thus, meeting the often rigorous long-distance requirements, prepaid phone cards may even allow the end-users to scale back their reliance on the landline phone altogether.

Source: http://www.ldpost.com/telecom-articles/international-calling-cards.html

VoIP and International Call Termination

September 16, 2009

This article focuses on some of the issues VoIP providers face when terminating to mobile operators in Europe as number portability takes hold.

Although there is only one strictly compliant way to terminate a call to a mobile operator in many countries, the current reality is that two variants exist, each with different commercial models and pricing.

The first method is via official interconnects – either TDM or VoIP based – with the destination mobile operator. This type of interconnect provides full, PSTN quality termination with full feature availability, including correct delivery of the “calling line identity” and support from roaming calls. The drawback, however, is that in many countries, the terminating provider must pay an officially regulated interconnection fee.

The second, unofficial method VoIP providers use to terminate calls to mobile operators is via SIM card-based, VoIP gateways. These gateways originate calls into the mobile network using a wireless connection, with special low rates offered for calls made to customers on the same network. As such, each channel in the VoIP gateway acts as an individual mobile phone making calls to other mobile phones on the network. Termination costs are lower, albeit with reduced feature functionality such as an incorrect or missing display of the caller’s number. Many thriving businesses provide call termination based on this method, and they all bill the calling carrier based on a defined set of codes that “belong” to the destination mobile operator. One could argue that whenever there is an ongoing difference between the cost of using service normally available in the country – for example, retail SIM cards – and an official interconnect rate, service providers make use of the difference; in many countries this has reached the point where there are two parallel services.

The Impact of Number Portability

Number portability is a growing reality in many parts of the world, with porting rates ranging from a small percentage in some markets, to almost 50 percent in countries with flexible porting and contract rules. When mobile subscribers port their numbers from one network to another, the original mobile network treats that call as “out of network” and either rejects the call, or connects it at a much higher rate – obviously an untenable answer for the SIM card operator in a highly competitive business.

So how does portability add to the complexity? Carriers charge each other based on a defined set of network codes, and ported numbers are exceptions to those codes, which are normally invisible to the carriers involved. So, a carrier buying Vodafone termination, for example, sends all calls matching the Vodafone network codes to the SIM card operator. That operator cannot connect the calls to numbers ported away from Vodafone, and either rejects the call because it is not “on-net” or it simply fails – resulting in lower quality and dissatisfied subscribers.

An Intelligent Routing Solution

One viable solution to this quandary is to route calls based on the knowledge of which mobile carrier “owns” the number at the time of the call. Most SIM card operators can actually carry a call to a number that has been ported into their network, even though the code range doesn’t match up as expected. This means a Vodafone supplier can terminate calls at the Vodafone rate to numbers ported in from Orange, for example. The trick is to be able to segregate the ported calls, and route them to the correct operator rather than to simply rely on the original code set.

With this type of routing intelligence, and a simple commercial agreement with the carrier, a provider can answer more calls, improve the customer experience and increase revenue at one stroke. With average rates of portability, a provider can increase its call-connect rate by over 20 percent, a very significant improvement in customer satisfaction and revenue. In addition, the performance is much more predictable over time, which helps with the commercial and operational management of these VoIP interconnects.

Source: http://www.ipbusinessmag.com/departments/article/id/479/voip-and-international-call-termination

Comments (0)

3 Reasons to Buy a Calling Card Online vs. Over-the-Counter

September 7, 2009

Every month, millions of people buy thousands of different calling cards from over-the-counter retailers such as convenience stores, gas stations, liquor/beer stores, and large retailers like Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, and Costco. With such a wide variety of options available (locations to buy from and number of cards), trying to find the right calling card for your needs can be a daunting task. Fortunately, a small number of savvy online calling card retailers have made buying a calling card easier than ever before.
Here are three reasons to consider buying your next calling card online vs. over the counter.

Total Shopping Convenience
Accurately Advertised Rates
Dedicated Customer Support

1. Total Shopping Convenience

From the comfort of your home via your personal computer, quickly and easily compare prepaid calling cards that are ideal for calling to any country worldwide. Most calling card retailers offer multiple cards for you to compare by displaying them in an easy to read top-down format, which aligns card details, rates, and available denominations.

After finding the right calling card for your needs you can buy it within a few clicks. Leading retailers make your purchase secure and easy by offering trusted payment options like PayPal or Google Checkout, in addition to credit cards or debit cards. Some even allow you to purchase with a money order or personal check. Upon approval, your calling card PIN and dialing instructions will be sent to you via email and posted to your online account for future access.

TIP: Before purchasing a calling card from any online retailer, look for trust symbols and seals related to safe shopping (i.e. Verisign), business associations (i.e. Better Business Bureau), guarantees and even third party security partners (i.e. McAfee Secure).
2. Accurately Advertised Rates
The Internet makes it very easy for online calling card retailers to publish rate updates for any of their products in real-time or near real-time. As a result, you will see much more accurate advertised rate schedules for any of the calling cards you are interested in comparing or purchasing. Some retailers even publish a time stamp to let you know when a card’s rates last changed.

TIP: Research indicates that most advertised rates are based upon exhausting all available minutes on a calling card in a single call. If there are not any minutes left, on a calling card then the carrier cannot assess any additional fees; fees directly reduce the number of available minutes on a calling card. As such, customers should consider purchasing the lowest available denomination, which will allow them to enjoy their conversation and exhaust all available minutes in one phone call. If you plan to leave minutes remaining on your calling card, consider purchasing one with no fees beyond the advertised per minute rate. These are known as “clean calling cards.”

3. Dedicated Customer Support
Buy a calling card online and get the benefit of having access to two customer support teams (Retailer and Carrier). The carrier is your primary contact for card performance inquiries and the retailer can help you with any purchase related questions.

TIP: Consider buying a calling card from a retailer that clearly publishes customer support and contact information for the carrier and themselves. It’s also a good idea to find out if a guarantee is offered. Do not settle for anything less.

Source: http://speedypin.com/phone/card/articles-3reasons-to-buy-calling-card-online-vs-over-the-counter.html

Comments (0)

Promotional Phone Cards: A New Customer Acquisition Tool

August 12, 2009

A promotional phone card is a customized phone card, which includes a company’s logo and messaging and free prepaid long distance minutes (an incentive) to be used by the recipient of the card (potential customer). Further, promotional phone cards are very affordable, so they can fit into even the smallest of marketing budgets. How can your company begin to use promotional phone cards as a customer acquisition tool?

A very simple and effective way that your company can immediately begin to use promotional phone cards to acquire more customers is by handing them out at tradeshows and conferences. There are, of course, many other great ways to use promotional phone cards to reach new potential customers.
For example, promotional phone cards can be used:
as business cards for your outside sales personnel
to get telecom customers to try a new phone card
to build customer loyalty and retention
for political campaigns
to build website traffic
to conduct surveys
for sweepstakes
Because a promotional phone card is inherently a communication tool, you can also ask a potential customer to take a desired action "on your dollar." Ask people to learn more about your products and services by calling you—before or after visiting your physical storefront or website.
In addition to a promotional phone card’s basic features, additional low-cost customization can be added to further push your brand and messaging throughout the customer acquisition process. For example, custom voice prompts and messaging can be used to greet your potential customers whenever they use your promotional phone card—to call you, family, or friends. In either case, you’ve successfully placed your brand and messaging directly in front of a potential customer in a very inexpensive and unique way.
In closing, promotional phone cards are an effective customer acquisition tool. Their low-cost and variety of uses will allow your company to extend its brand and messaging to new customers without significantly impacting the marketing budget.
If you are ready to begin acquiring more new customers, you may request a quote, learn more at our promotional phone cards web page, or contact us directly to discuss your company’s needs and receive more personalized information.
Source: http://speedypin.com/phone/card/articles-promotional-phone-cards-a-new-customer-acquisition-tool.html

Comments (0)

Ways To Spot The Right Prepaid Calling Card For You

July 20, 2009

Each of us needs to communicate. Certainly, you want to have the best means to communicate, the one that can give you convenience and handiness.
Prepaid calling cards were developed in order to compensate the use of coins when you need to make a call. So do you find that convenient and handy?
How do you find carrying about hundred of coins in your pocket in order to make calls anytime and anywhere, is it convenient and handy for you? Prepaid calling cards possess about hundred of dollars worth of prepaid calling credits. Prepaid calling cards are paper like structure which you can put in any pocket of your pants, that’s convenient and handy right!
Prepaid calling cards possess lots of features that can be very useful and helpful to you. But there are no two prepaid calling cards that are the same, each prepaid calling card differ. Each prepaid calling cards differ from rates, features and services. Yes, you heard it right; they differ from each other, so you have to do ways in order to find the one that can suit your wants and needs.
Each of us has different tastes, preferences, and styles, so it is better to look for the one that can make you happy and convenient. You are maybe wondering on how to find the one that suits you since there are lots of prepaid calling cards out there.
If you truly want to find the one that is right for you, you have to research. You can compare at least few of the prepaid calling cards in order to find the one that has the right rates, services and features that you want and need.
The basic feature of prepaid calling cards is that you can use it anytime, anywhere, and with the use of any phone. So if you need to make a call immediately, you can use your prepaid calling card with any regular phone.
Some prepaid calling cards possess charges and fees, so you better check these out before purchasing any card. Of course, each of us wants to have the best out of our money, so in order to achieve this; you have to gain the necessary information about the prepaid calling card.
How can one gain the information that he/she needs about the prepaid calling card?
You have to be alert and initiative. Go ask about the information that you need. Do not be shy of asking questions, since this can help you gain the information you need. Reading the terms and condition is a must. It may be boring to read but you have to in order for you to have the information you need. Definitely, you do not want to be caught or surprised with the hidden charges that the prepaid calling card that you are using midway right! So before purchasing one, make simple research and gain the information you need about the prepaid calling card.
Observation, researching and gaining information is very important in order to have the right prepaid calling card for you. Having the right prepaid calling card can make you happy and convenient in using it.
Source: http://www.polandcallingcards.info/articles_4.php

Comments (0)

Prepaid Phone Cards – Are They Really a Good Deal?

June 25, 2009

Purchasing prepaid calling time is like playing poker. The right and best cards can make all the difference. Prepaid phone cards are the best and convenient way to make cheap long distance calls. Saving money on international calls provides you the opportunity to talk for a longer time.

The use of these cards eliminates the receiving of a phone bill at the end of each month. As with any phone plan, taking some time to research on internet will save a lot of money and assure you that you are purchasing the right calling card that provides the cheapest and affordable rates for your long distance calls. Long distance calls are more complicated than local calls and calling cost plans for international calls may be just as complicated.

With the increase in economy and higher demand for calling cards, different telephone companies had to compete in the telecommunication industry by providing a large variety of calling plans that attract the customers. Increased traveling made the use of phone cards attractive, and prepaid calling cards for long distance calls have made the method of making international calls easier. Prepaid phone cards are cheaper than your regular phones and cheaper than the rates of your cell phone company offers for long distance calls. There is no doubt that payphones are most costly way of making international calls. Using prepaid calling cards allows you to use your cell phone, home phone or any pay phone to make cheap international calls.

Comments (0)

Buying International Phone Cards

April 29, 2009

In todays economy and people travel all around the world to peruse new job opportunity. They need to stay in touch with their family and love ones in their own country. And if you have a son or daughter in the arm forces, and where deployed overseas, you want to get in touch with him or her.

How can you do that? Phone companies created and easy and cheap way for you to keep in touch. They made phone cards. Phone cards to call overseas. Phone cards to call Asia and Europe.

International phone cards or international calling cards can they purchased for any grocery store or gas station. Almost every where you look, you will find someone will sell you a phone card.

Making international call direct is costly, because when you start talking you will never finish. Buy when you buy a phone card form your local grocery store for $5. The card will remind you when your time is up. And that is a huge saving. Taking on the phone is not cheap, but buying a phone card is much cheaper and more convenient.

There are hundreds of calling cards, phone cards to make overseas and international calls. Choose wisely. Don’t just look for the cheapest card; you need to pay attention to the service. Voice clarity calling and receiving calls.

Before you go and buy your phone card to call overseas, you need to know few things.
1.Check if the card has any connection fees. You need to know how much they will charge when they make the connections.
2.Check if the card has an 800 number to use.
3.Connection fees are not all you need to look for; you need to look for per minute fees. Some of the international phone card companies charge a lot. Compare rates with other cards.
4.Tell the salesman what country you calling and ask him/her what other people buy, any suggestion.
5.Make sure you check when is the phone card you buying will expired if you decided to use the phone card more than once. Check if the phone card has weekly charges if you don’t use it.
6.Ask the salesperson if the card been around for a while-the store been selling that particular phone card for a long time.

There are so many international phone cards on the market. Choosing the right card from the first time is not easy; you have to be very lucky to do so. As we all know, some of these companies sell the card, but after a while they close and the card does not work. So what happen here, you have phone card you paid for from your hard work, but they are no good. This is what I mean choose wisely.

Comments (0)

Getting Calling Cards To Stay In Touch

April 22, 2009

If you know nothing of phone or calling cards you simply live on a desert island or have never tried the matter in use. Imagine a credit card for paying your telephone bills just after any call. It’s rather simple to use calling cards. The only thing to do is to enter the number located at the backside of your phone card, and process a call whenever you want to do it. Prior to connecting you with the destination dialed the operator will inform you of the money quantity left on your calling card. Afterwards you can make your call and don’t have to care for payments. Due to this reason phone cards offer a great advantage, as they provide you with necessary minutes when you strongly need them. You can now claim that many individuals these days prefer not to use pay phones at all.

This is due to mobile phone usage, which has left the necessity of pay phones long behind it. You can surely stand on your point of view; but despite the fact, not everybody on the globe can afford purchasing or using a cell phone. Thus, calling cards are a right choice for these individuals in view of telephone use. For those phone users who have got used to exploiting mobile phones, calling cards can also be a benefit and event a must-have. In case you apply your phone card for your mobile phone, the payment for calls is received by your service provider, and you don’t have to lose your minutes. This will certainly fit you in occasion when your minute balance has expired, and you won’t wish to spend your money to have extra minutes for calling. Surely, you are to check the possibility of successfully using the calling cards on your service provider’s list of offers. This is due to the fact that some service providers offer this feature and others do not. It’s commonly better to ensure the opportunity.

In case you have chosen to purchase one of million calling cards available in the industry, you have to search for its benefits on the Internet. Of course you may purchase calling cards in offline stores, but you’d better buy one through the Web. It is a right choice in this case. The majority of companies offer you a special opportunity to have more money on your card for a lower price. These opportunities can be commonly found in the abyss of different offers. Due to this fact buying online is the most effective way. You may use the opportunity of making the comparison among the companies, to see which one offers the most inexpensive plan for the lowest rates.

In the majority of locations you can purchase a phone card for 20 dollars and have calling time for 5 dollars more free of charge. This opportunity is really convenient to miss it. Surely some rates are higher, others are lower, but if you carefully search for the best ones you’ll have a benefit when purchasing a phone card for your purposes. If there is no present for those whom you love, don’t search for extraordinary gifts, just purchase a phone card, and see the reaction.

Source: http://www.market-card.com/u/article5.html

Comments (0)

When buying phone cards…

March 5, 2009

Whenever you go shopping for calling cards, remember a few steps to follow, in order to choose the best calling card:

- Always choose a calling card to the specific country you are going to call. This way, you will get a very low rate, as that card is designed for optimizing call costs for that particular destination. If you’re calling to 2-3 more destinations, you might want to consider getting a special card for every destination. If however you call to significantly more countries, get a general phone card, and it will offer you decent rates to all international destinations you will call.

- Get a short sounding time if you make short phone calls. If you usually stay a long time on the phone and make fewer calls, then get a longer rounding time, as this will also mean a lower rate, and an overall lower cost for you.

- When you order your phone cards online, be sure to be on a secured site (most of them are, but you can never be too sure). Look for a sign that says the site is trusted for online transactions. Suck signs (they look like small banners) mean that a third party has tested the site/seller, and they have passed some rigorous tests of security of data and online payment processing.

On top of doing all these things, also make sure to compare more calling cards before buying one – so that you are sure to get the one that best suits your calling needs. This would be all for now! Take care, safe shopping and happy phone-talking everyone!

Comments (0)

Buying Time: The Facts About Pre-Paid Phone Cards

February 13, 2009

<" alt="" border="0" />—[if gte mso 9]> < ![endif]--> Pre-paid calling cards represent telephone calling time you buy in advance. You pay from $2 to $20 or so to buy local or long-distance calling time; the amount of time you buy depends on the rate-per-minute charged. For many people, pre-paid phone cards are very convenient. You’ve paid for the phone time and you can use the card from any phone to make your calls.

But the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, says that some pre-paid phone cards can have hidden costs. As a result, they don’t deliver the number of calling minutes they advertise. Because you pay in advance, you may be out of pocket — and out of luck — if you discover a problem trying to use the card. That’s a big difference between prepaid phone cards and traditional long distance calling cards, where charges don’t appear on your bill until after you’ve made the call.

You can buy pre-paid phone cards at newsstands, grocery and convenience stores, travel agencies, retail stores, and on the Internet. People who regularly call overseas use them, as do travelers, students, and those who may not have long-distance telephone service. You can add minutes to many pre-paid phone cards, usually by charging the additional cost to your credit card.
(source of the article: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro04.shtm)

Comments (0)