Guide to International Calling Cards

Internet based virtual calling card pioneer StartDialing.com International says over 800,000 searches for virtual calling cards were performed through Internet search giants Yahoo! and Google last month.

Virtual Calling Cards are the internet based versions of the calling cards bought from shops which allow low-cost national and international phone calls, at times allowing customers to save up to 90 per cent of the standard call rate.

Called calling cards, they are actually Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) which are generated by the issuing company and sent to the customer. One of the most popular cards are ones which can be used in over 30 countries, from almost any telephone including cellular phones. Depending on the card, information attached to the number can be altered to allow only particular numbers to be called and even allow particular numbers to be called automatically.

Initially threatened by cellular companies low cost long distance plans consumers have become wise to the hidden costs in these plans and have returned to calling cards for their long distance calls.

Virtual cards offer the ability to be recharged over the Internet, offering unheard of convenience and reliabilty in the telecommunications world.

How do these phone cards work?

You simply pay for the calling time in advance and reduce the prepaid balance as you make calls. To make a call you dial Toll Free Access Number, enter your PIN number and dial the phone number you wish to call.

How do I find the best phone card for me?

A card with the lowest rate is not always the best one! Read the description for each card (Details).
- For a short term use the cards with the lowest rates are recommended (usually they have weekly maintenance fee). For a long term use we suggest the cards with NO or Low maintenance fee.
- Check cell phone rates if you are going to call to a cell phone number.
- Pay attention if a card has Local and Toll Free Access Numbers. Rates are usually higher when you use a Toll Free Access Number. See card's details to find Local Access Number in specific area.

How do I place a call ?

To place a call you dial the Free Access Number, enter your "PIN" number, then you'll be prompted to enter the phone number you want to call. For more details see instructions for your phone card(s).

What's the difference between prepaid phone cards, phone cards, prepaid calling cards, calling cards, long distance phone cards?

They refer to the same thing; prepaid long distance service from telecom companies that produces these cards. You pay for your long distance service in advanced. You do not have to pay for any monthly fees, sign up fees or need to sign a contract. This kind of long distance service is getting more and more popular because the rates are decreasing faster in this area than in a post long distance service.





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