Telecommunication systems have diversified significantly since the arrival of the telephone. Calling abroad for much of the last century was prohibitively expensive. The rates were too high, and callers had to overcome a series technical challenges or problems trying to get through. This reality existed for much of the the last century. Thanks to technological advances, things have become much easier, cheaper, and simpler today.
Global phone cards were created so that people could call family and friends abroad at affordable prices. Physical global phone cards look like credit cards. People buy them with pre-paid amounts for making international calls. Some people refer to them as calling cards.
When they first came out, these types of cards were simply a way of storing credit so that you could use a telephone to call abroad. Over the past couple of decades, they have advanced in what they offer significantly.
Today’s phone cards have services such as a PIN numbers, online accounts, SMS features, and many others. People now can go online to purchase a card. They can also add credit online whenever their balance runs out.
How an International Phone Card Can Benefit You?
International Calling Cards can benefit you in two different ways.
Traditional way
The traditional way has been to go to a store and purchase a card. It has a printed code on it, which you dial first before the telephone number of the person you want to talk to. As you talk, your prepaid credit is gradually consumed.
Modern way
It is no longer necessary to go to a store and buy a physical card. You can do the whole purchasing process online. You can buy, for example, an AT&T phone card by going to its online store.
With good quality calling cards, you can telephone from over 150 different countries. All you have to do is dial the card company’s access number for a country and wait for a prompt. You then enter some codes you acquired or a PIN when you purchased the card online, after which you can enter your destination number, i.e., the number of the person you want to talk to.
Why are Online Phone Cards Better?
Phone cards that you purchase online offer international telephone rates that are significantly cheaper than the rates that residential telephone service companies charge. They usually also offer cheaper rates than the cards people buy in stores.
Searching the best card online means you can compare the prices of several different providers quickly. It does not take long to find the most suitable one for your needs.
Refillable and Non-Refillable Cards
Non-Refillable
With this type of card, when you have used up all the credit, i.e., when it runs out, you cannot use it again. There is no way to add extra credit to them.
Most non-refillable cards expire after a few months – usually three or four months.
Refillable
This type of card is becoming increasingly more popular. When the balance on the card runs out, you can refill it, i.e., add new credit. You can do this online or on the phone. All you need is a credit or debit card. Some companies allow you to transfer your balance from one card to another (as long as they are both fillable).
Charges
Before you chose the right card for your needs, you should check out what charges there are. Below are some of the charges you may have to pay:
Connection Fee
Every time you make a phone call and it connects, the card company will charge a fee. Most companies have this charge. How much varies depending on where you are calling.
Service fees
Most companies also have surchages and/or services fees. Service fees may be as high as 25% in some cases. For example, if the charge is 5 cents per minute and the fee is ten percent, a twenty-minute call will cost you $1.10.
Maintenance Fee
While your card has credit in it, maintenance fees may be deducted. In most cases, the fee is deducted within twenty-four hours of your first call. Companies typically charge weekly, twice a month, or monthly.
Remember that call charges vary depending where you are and which country the person you want to talk to is. Charges can vary considerably.
Now that you have a better idea of what phone cards are, you should be able to purchase one online without much difficulty.