The improvements in information,
communication and technology are effectively enhancing telecommunication
systems. After the introduction of cellular phone, the improvements have gone
further to bring on board phone cards. The most commonly used card today is the
Online Prepaid phone card, a card
used to enhance the user make phone. With this card, it is now possible to make
phone calls without having cash money at hand. The card came to replace the
coin calls (made using coin booths) and overcome their limitations. The cards make the users forget about using
coins when making calls. Using these cards, it is possible to make phone call
on any phone. They are not phone dependent. The users pay for use of the card
service in advance
Different cards from the same
supplier or manufacturer come in different denominations (amount). The user
would then purchase the card with the desired denomination, which determines
the call time from the card. The calls are charged at a certain rate-per-time
interval. The time interval may be minute or second. The user of the card
service purchases telephone time in advance. During the use, the user is able
to establish the remaining amount for use in the card. The user enjoys the
telephone services until all the amount in the card is completely exhausted,
after which no more phone services are available when using this card. This
service is very convenient to the user and is commonly use where the caller is
making regular long distance calls.
The Online Prepaid phone cards are made by service provider, who
distributes them to the reseller. The service provider provides an online
facility which allows user access to the call services and the remote location
of the service provider. The service provider has a computer, which calculates
the time spent in call and corresponding charges. The computer maintains the
remaining balance. It also used to provide user support help to the caller. The
help includes; information on remaining balance, troubleshooting, any user
request. Most of these help instructions are prerecorded in the computer.
The phone card has information such
as; the pin number, service providers’ help line, instructions on how to use
the card, and access number. Some card are rechargeable (refillable) and other
are not. A rechargeable card allows the user to recharge
any time. On acquiring this type of card, the user registers the phone number
with the service provider, making the phone a permanent Identification of this
user on the card. In addition, the user is issued with the card PIN number.
This card does not have any expiry date, making it reusable. It allows for
transfer of balance between the phone card and another refillable card or a saving
account. A Non-refillable card is usable only when it has balance on it and its
expiry date is not exceeded. When the balance is completely used, the card is
no longer usable. This card has an expiry date and once the date is exceeded,
the card become obsolete and can not be renewed.
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