WHAT
IS A PREPAID PHONECARD? A prepaid phone card is a simple
way of making long distance telephone calls within North
America or internationally. Prepaidphonecards come in two
generic types - chip based cards which can only be used
in special telephones and universal remote memory cards
such as those that we carry which use a 1-800 number and
a personnal identification number (PIN) to connect a long
distance call from virtually any phone. Also referred to
as a debit card, phonecard, phonepass, or prepaid calling
card, prepaid cards have a predetermined amount of long
distance usage credited to each card in minutes, dollars,
or units. The caller dials a toll-free number to access
the prepaid network, then dials a PIN number shown on the
card to access the account registered to that account.
Once that account has been automatically verified, the
caller then dials the telephone number of the person they
wish to reach. Once connected, the card value in the
account is reduced by the amount of time the caller is
connected, either using up the card or leaving a balance
for subsequent calls. Voice prompts can be used to: *
Play a customized greeting or message; * Ask the caller
to enter their PIN number. * Switch the caller to
automated voice prompts in a variety of languages or to a
live operator for additional help. * Provide the caller
with the remaining dollar balance on the card; * Provide
the caller with the remaining time balance on the card; *
Alert the caller when the balance nears zero; * Play a
closing message.