Prepaid News: Phone Cards, Cellular, Wireless, and more Telecom News!

Philadelphia Soul and Virgin Mobile USA Team Up to Offer Free Concert

2008-08-03T11:01:00.000-07:00

Virgin Mobile and the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League announced that they will be holding a free concert in the Philadelphia area to celebrate the recent win by the Soul in ArenaBowl XXII. So far they have only announced that Bon Jovi will be performing but are said to have others as well.The Soul are owned by Rocker Jon Bon Jovi and a consortium of others so it only makes sense that Bon Jovi would headline the event. Full details of who, what, when and where are supposed to be announced this week.

This will be the first of special promotions that Virgin Mobile and the Philadelphia Soul will be doing together and is expected to continue through the next 2009 season with Virgin Mobile subscribers getting priority access to events like this and other Soul activities and games. The only way to get into this free concert is through being a Virgin Mobile customer or at least getting someone who is a Virgin Mobile customer to get you the tickets.

Sweden Sees Sharp Increase in Mobile Voice and Data Usage

2008-07-26T22:52:00.000-07:00

Mobile phone usage in Sweden increased sharply last year, as mobile voice and data revenue exceeded landline telephone revenue for the first time, according to the National Post and Telecom Agency (PTS).

In December 2007 alone, almost 500,000 customers made use of mobile internet services, up from just 90,000 wireless web subscriptions in the final month of 2006. Overall wireless data traffic increased ten-fold last year, while users placed more and longer cell phone calls, and sent an average of 40 SMS messages each month.

Total revenue from all mobile services came in at 19.7 billion SEK for the year, up 12% from 2006.

“We take mobile telephony for granted. We are used to placing calls whenever and almost wherever we want,” 2007 was the year when even broadband users could seriously consider mobile Internet services when choosing a provider,” commented Marianne Treschow, Director-General of the PTS.

AT&T Moves

2008-06-29T21:06:00.000-07:00

AT&T is moving their headquarter from San Antonio, Texas. But they still based on Texas. They move to Dallas. Read on...

AT&T Inc., the world's largest telecom company, announced today that it will move its corporate headquarters from San Antonio to Dallas to gain better access to its customers and operations throughout the world, and to the key technology partners, suppliers, innovation and human resources needed as it continues to grow, domestically and internationally.

The move will begin in the coming weeks and is expected to be complete around yearend. It is expected to involve about 700 of the company's nearly 6,000 San Antonio-based employees.

"We're a growing global company with customers and operations around the world," said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO. "Being headquartered in Dallas will benefit our long-term growth prospects and human resources needs, and our ability to operate more efficiently, better serve customers and expand the business in the future.

"San Antonio is a great city with much to offer and it's been good for AT&T as we've grown from primarily a five-state local phone company to the world's largest telecom company," Stephenson said. "San Antonio will continue to be a major operations and employment center for us."

Source: AT&T.com

Ketchup Phone Card

2008-06-12T18:19:00.000-07:00

This is one of unique phone cards out there. In coordance with its name, it's shaped like a ketchup bottle! Enjoy!

Special deal for Telecom roamers

2008-06-05T23:48:00.000-07:00

The Australian Government said it would let Telstra close its old CDMA mobile phone network from April 28.

Unlike Vodafone mobiles, standard Telecom mobiles are not compatible with other existing mobile networks in Australia.

In January, the Australian Government gave Telecom a threemonth reprieve when it forced Telstra to postpone the networks closure.

The shutdown will prevent Telecom prepaid customers with CDMAonly phones from using their phones in Australia.

Onaccount customers who do not already have a WorldMode phone capable of connecting with both Telecoms existing CDMA network and second generation networks, will need to upgrade their phones or borrow WorldMode phones from Telecom if they go to Australia.

Telecom said it had been running a customer communications campaign since last year, focusing on customers who have roamed in the past two years, and offering special phone upgrade deals.

Spokeswoman Katherine Murphy said the most regular roamers have been offered free WorldMode phones.

Telecom has kiosks at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch airports where its customers can buy or borrow a WorldMode phone.

As a last resort, customers who arrive in Australia without a WorldMode phone can buy a phone from network operator Optus, on which they can use their Telecom number.

Telecom is building a new $300 million WCDMA network, which will be compatible with Australias networks. It is expected to be operating in November.

Telecom acting chief executive of retail Simon Moutter told analysts at a briefing last week that he expected that the companys contingency plans and its range of four WorldMode devices would help the company "ride out the period where we have a poor roaming proposition to Australia".

Chief executive Paul Reynolds has described his inherited CDMA network as a dead end for the company.

At the analysts briefing, he said: "Weve got to get out of this CDMA culdesac."

The new network would allow the company to offer new services and devices.

"And, finally, our ability to address the really lucrative international roaming revenues which Telecom New Zealand is currently virtually out of."

Source:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4483376a13.html

Alternative Trans-Border Telecoms Service Providers In Western Europe

2008-05-28T21:59:00.000-07:00

This new 279-page report profiles and compares 18 key alternative providers of trans-border telecoms services, with a focus on Western Europe.

The report includes the following:
• Profiles of 18 carriers
• Verdict
• Summary (strategy and recent activities)
• Geographic reach
• Portfolio
• Management (revenues and reputation)

Who should buy the report?
• Operators selling telecoms services in Western Europe
• Companies investing in or supplying the above
• Companies buying services from the service providers covered

Key benefits:
• Source of key information on 18 service providers
• Independent market analysis and comparisons
• Gives customers time to concentrate on analysing implications and to formulate action plans

Updated since last report:
• 18 updated player profiles
• Analysis of player positioning and differentiation strategies
• Market analysis and updated conclusions from previous report

Key conclusions:
• The market has enjoyed an unprecedented period of stability, but this might be threatened by growing global economic concerns
• The ‘big four’ of AT&T, BT Global Services, Orange Business Services and Verizon Business dominate, and have the resources to come out strong from any market problems
• Future success will be driven by a well implemented, focused strategy
Pricing is £995 for a corporate licence (intranet licence).

For more information and for sample pages, visit:
http://www.totaltele.com/View.aspx?ID=145&t=6

Sprint's signal may be fading with Qwest as Verizon enters partner talks

2008-05-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

Verizon Communications is in talks to replace Sprint Nextel as the wireless partner of Qwest, according to Verizon executives.

The second-ranked mobile-phone carrier is considering whether to work with Qwest, chief executive Ivan Seidenberg told investors at a closed-door meeting Tuesday in New York. Spokesman Robert Varettoni confirmed Seidenberg's remarks and declined to comment further.

Qwest, which has resold Sprint's service since 2004, is seeking a new agreement and may replace its current partner, chief executive Edward Mueller said Monday. Denver-based Qwest, with 824,000 wireless subscribers, wants to sell newer handsets and more data services than its contract with Sprint allows, Mueller said.

Sprint also is in active discussions with Qwest, Sprint spokeswoman Melinda Tiemeyer said.

Sprint lost 1.2 million contract subscribers last year amid complaints of dropped calls and customer-service glitches. The company had 54 million customers at the end of last year, including Qwest's users.

Verizon, which trails AT&T in total mobile-phone customers, would gain more subscribers by striking an agreement with Qwest.

http://origin.denverpost.com/telecom/ci_8372482

ATT Offers VoIP Service in Detroit, Michigan

2008-04-24T10:12:00.000-07:00

America’s biggest phone company, AT&T Inc., has begun offering a VoIP telephone service over its fiber-optic network in Detroit, Michigan, with rates as low as $20 per month.

Subscribers can order unlimited calling within the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico for $45 per month, or 1000 minutes of calling time at a monthly cost of $35 (+$0.07 per overtime minute). Customers who also order AT&T’s U-verse broadband or TV service receive a $10/month discount, while those who sign-up for both of these services are credited $15/month.

AT&T’s digital phone service comes with a number of convenient perks, including an option for U-verse TV subscribers to view their call histories on their TV sets. Call forwarding, call screening, and call display, as well as “do not disturb” and international call blocking options are all included.

There is a $50 fee to install the new service, but this is being waived until the end of this month for customers who also sign-up for U-verse TV.

In the months to come, AT&T will likely extend its U-verse VoIP service to other cities, as a way to compete on equal grounds with cable phone providers, and stem ongoing subscriber losses in the fixed-line telephone market.

http://www.teleclick.ca/2008/01/att-launches-u-verse-voip-service-in-detroit/

Neuf Cegetel launches VoD store

2008-04-19T13:26:00.001-07:00

French telecommunications company Neuf Cegetel said Tuesday it is launching a redesigned video-on-demand store.

Neuf Cegetel has decided to acquire direct broadcasting rights to become a publisher of its own video-on-demand service, Neuf VOD.

Neuf Cegetel has signed with the main French cinema studios, and its partnership with Glowria, a Netgem subsidiary, has also been extended, the company said.

Neuf VOD will offer around 3,500 programs itself, and Neuf TV subscribers will continue to access a total of 5,000 programs, the company said.

Neuf Cegetel has also developed its own in-house editorial line and a news and promotion channel called L'Actu Neuf VOD, the company added.

Company Web site: www.groupeneufcegetel.fr
Source: http://www.totaltele.com/View.aspx?ID=9480&t=1

Vietnam To Launch First Telecom Satellite April 12

2008-04-11T13:24:00.000-07:00

Hanoi, Vietnam (AHN)In a bid to improve the countrys telecommunications, Vietnam is all set to launch its first telecom satellite on April 12, officials announced on Wednesday.

Vinasat No. 1 is scheduled to be launched in French Guiana from the Kourou spaceport in South America. It will begin operation by May though, according to Nguyen Ba Thuoc, vice general director of state-owned Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Corp.

The $200 million satellite can transmit up to 10,000 voice, Internet or data channels or 120 television channels nationwide. Vietnam now rents satellites from Australia, Thailand, and Russia.

For around the last decade, Vietnams economy has grown at an average annual rate of more than 7 percent. It has 19 million Internet users and over 40 million telephone subscribers.

Source: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010310807

SingTel, Google, and Others to Lay New Transpacific Internet Cable

2008-04-05T22:46:00.000-07:00

Telecom news from asia:

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (SingTel) announced that it is teaming up with Google, KDDI Corp., Bharti Airtel, Pacific Internet, and Global Transit to build a new underwater cable linking Japan and and the United States.

The 10,000 km ultrahighspeed cable, named Unity, is set to be completed by early 2010, at a cost of about US$300 million.

“This new submarine cable network, with its high capacity and resilient transmission infrastructure, will be able to meet the strong demand for data, ecommerce and Internet traffic between Asia and the US,” commented SingTel’s executive vice president of networks, Mark Chong.

Source: http://www.teleclick.ca/2008/02/singtelgoogleandotherstolaynewtranspacificinternetcable/

Collecting Phone Cards

2008-04-01T21:42:00.000-07:00

Phone cards aren't only usable, but they are also collectible. You can buy them to use, then collect, or you can just simply buy them to add to your collection. There are many phone cards collection websites: personal, professional, communities, groups, and swapping/exchanging. Below is a video of someone's phone cards collection. Enjoy!

New Phone Cards Ad

2008-03-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

Latino Phone Card ad, it's in Spanish. Enjoy!

Netia sells P4 stake to Novator, Tollerton

2008-03-22T23:59:00.000-07:00

Polish operator Netia has agreed to sell its 23.4 percent stake in mobile carrier P4 to Tollerton Investments and Novator for EUR 130 million cash. The price represents a 63 percent premium over the EUR 79.7 million in equity contributed by Netia to P4. Netia expects to complete the deal in the first quarter, meaning it will not participate in expected capital-raising at P4 later this year. Netia announced already in early January that it was considering the P4 stake sale. The cash received will be used to finance its own growth and avoid the need for an equity issue. With the acquisition of Netia's stake, Novator and Tollerton have full control of P4.

Telecom Growth in 2008

2008-03-15T13:44:00.000-07:00

Despite fears of an economic downturn in the United States,?the telecommunications industry should see strong growth in the next three years, driven largely by increasing demand for broadband, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) said Friday.

The trade group expects the worldwide telecom market to grow to $4.6 trillion by 2011, compared to about $3.9 trillion in 2006. About $1.3 trillion of the 2011 market will come from the United States, according to TIA.

Driving these increases will be broadband, with its consumption doubling in 2006 and quadrupling again in 2007, said Arthur Gruen of Wilkofsky Gruen Associates, a consultancy that focuses on telecom and other industries. Video and entertainment applications are pushing customers to buy more broadband and telecom providers to build more capacity, he said.

There's been an "explosive growth in network traffic" driven by data applications in the wired and wireless industries, Gruen said on a teleconferance call held by the TIA. "Voice communications, the heart of the industry, is almost an afterthought now," he added. "Where the action is, is on the data side."

As late as 2003, many people in the telecom industry were saying they had enough bandwidth to last into the foreseeable future, Gruen added. "Now we are in a situation where, if we don't some significant investment now -- and companies are in fact doing it - we may be running into bandwidth shortages," he said.

Broadband revenue is expected to grow by more than 13 percent a year through 2011, Gruen said.

Asked if an economic downturn in the United States would affect the estimates, Gruen said he didn't think it would have a major impact. "The telecom industry doesn't appear to be at the center of the downturn," he said, unlike during the dot-com crash in 2000 and 2001.

This downturn is "less of a threat" than the one in 2000-2002, added Grant Seiffert, TIA's president. "There's a thirst for bandwidth out there that certainly is beneficial to the industry," he said.

The market for networking equipment still hasn't come back to its 2001 levels, but the market is growing, Gruen added. In the early part of the decade, investments in networking equipment were often based on predicted traffic growth, he said.

"We're now on an upswing, and we believe it's a sustainable upswing, and the reason is because it's demand, rather than supply, driven," he said. "During the late '90s and early 2000s, there was a huge level of investment in anticipation of traffic growth. The traffic did not immediately materialize."

In large businesses, convergence of voice and data services onto one platform is finally happening after years of predictions, Gruen said. Internet Protocol VPNs are replacing frame relay and ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) technologies, he said.

TIA expects the market for U.S. landline telephone customers to decrease from 165 million in 2007 to 150 million in 2011, but the decline in customers should slow from past years, Gruen said. Much of the decrease in the past came as customers dumped second lines dedicated to dial-up Internet service or moved to mobile phones as their second lines, he said. Much of that movement should be finished, he said.

Customers are also moving to bundled services, including voice, broadband, and television. "When you're having bundled services ... there's less eagerness to switch providers," he said.

About 82 percent of U.S. voice customers will receive service through a bundle in 2011, compared to 40 percent in 2007, he said.

TIA expects VoIP penetration to more than double between 2007, from 16 percent now to 37 percent.

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2008/02/22/3286777.htmM1

Calling Card Ad

2008-03-11T13:42:00.000-07:00

This is a calling card ad from Telekom Kenya. It's really funny, enjoy!

Business Taking IP Telephony Seriously

2008-03-06T16:00:00.000-08:00

According to new research from In-Stat, businesses are taking IP telephony more seriously.

The firm reports that IP telephony has crossed over from an emerging technology to the mainstream choice for business voice. That’s evidenced by the numbers. In the first half of 2007, 11.1 million IP lines were shipped worldwide, comprising more than 80 percent of total shipments. That meant sales of IP lines in the first half of 2007 outpaced those of traditional lines, In-Stat reported.

"For IP telephony, the initial technical and operational challenges are behind it," said Norm Bogen, a research director at In-Stat. "ROIs are proving the economics to be solid, and the productivity gains associated with the technology are, and will continue to exceed, those that could be realized with traditional telephony."

Source: www.in-stat.com

2008 Preview: Telecom Innovative Uses of Wireless and Broadband to Come Calling

2008-03-01T16:59:00.000-08:00

A look ahead at 2008 2008 Preview: Aerospace 2008 Preview: AirlinesGoogle's first cellphone.

Apple's iPhone on AT&T's faster, third-generation network.

A shift from online banking to cellphone banking.

Those are a few of the technologies and trends to expect from the telecommunications industry in 2008, experts say.

"This is going to be an exciting year," said Jeff Kagan, a telecom analyst in Atlanta. "Innovative stuff is coming out on wireless all the time."

Google and Douglas County-based EchoStar Communications are among companies that have registered to bid on the government's much-anticipated airwaves auction in January. The 700-megahertz spectrum is viewed as prime real estate for wireless services because the frequencies can penetrate walls and travel long distances.

But it won't be all about wireless next year.

"Broadband growth is going to be the driver for the top line of telecom companies, and those that can continue to penetrate the market and with higher speeds will have the most success," said Todd Rosenbluth with Standard & Poor's.

Qwest plans to spend $300 million next year boosting Internet speeds to about 1.5 million homes in its 14-state local phone service territory.

In February, Qwest's new chief executive, Ed Mueller, will provide more details on his plans for the company. Qwest may be a potential takeover target in 2008 for Canadian phone company Telus Corp., according to the Toronto Star.

Qwest, which resells Sprint Nextel wireless service, will offer a "fixed mobile convergence" product in late 2008 that allows customers to make cellphone calls through home Internet.

As telecom and cable companies continue their fierce battle for residential customers, next year may shed light on how big an impact Verizon Communications and AT&T's broad video services will have on Comcast, Time Warner Cable and others. Qwest has decided not to launch its own TV offering.

http://www.denverpost.com/telecom/ci_7834185

Sprint Nextel expands unlimited calling

2008-02-23T20:02:00.000-08:00

Sprint Nextel Corp.s limited experiment of offering subprime subscribers allyoucanuse cellular voice minutes and text messaging appears to have been a success, with the company expanding the service to a dozen states and adding unlimited Web surfing.

Sprint has offered the unlimited program through its Boost Mobile brand in Texas and California since this spring.

The company said 100,000 people signed up for the service during the second quarter, paying $45 to $55 a month to make unlimited local and longdistance calls while calling from their home calling area. Adding unlimited texting costs an additional $5 a month.

Sprint, based in Reston, Va., with operational headquarters in Overland Park, Kan., announced Tuesday that it has extended the unlimited service to 10 additional states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

With the metrics achieving to the expectations, weve decided to go to the next phase of expansion and that was to the South, said Michael Lanzon, vice president for sales and distribution for Irvine, Calif.based Boost.

He declined to say how many more customers signed up in the third quarter because Sprint is expected to announce quarterly results next week.

Besides the unlimited calling, the company said that starting on Nov. 12 it would begin offering unlimited Web browsing for an additional $5 a month and allow subscribers to expand their local calling zone for another $5 a month. For example, a customer in Houston could expand their calling area to include Dallas.

Calls outside their local zone cost 15 cents per minute.

Boost Mobile subscribers dont sign an annual contract, instead paying upfront for their service monthtomonth. Initially modeled as a youthoriented brand, Sprint Nextel has attempted to use Boost Mobile to grab consumers with spotty credit who might not qualify for regular service, many of whom Sprint Nextel has jettisoned by increasing its credit requirements.

Analysts have voiced concern that the unlimited service could encourage more lucrative Sprint customers who pay their bills at the end of the month to switch down to the cheaper service. They also said it wont help Sprint catch up to industry leaders AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless, as neither is as interested in attracting subprime customers.

But they said Sprint can stave off some customer losses to MetroPCS Communications Inc. and Leap Wireless International Inc., which offer similar unlimited plans.

I think its a defensive move, Jonathan Atkin of RBC Capital Markets said Wednesday. Better to see some modest cannibalization and do it yourself than see a competitive loss to those competitors.

Sprint Nextel shares, which have traded in a 52week range of $16.93 to $23.42, closed down 16 cents at $17.49.

Source: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8SFQT2G0.htm

China Alibaba Ponders Microsoft Yahoo Bid

2008-02-18T14:26:00.001-08:00

Alibaba Group, the Chinese Internet company partowned by Yahoo Inc, has hired advisers to evaluate issues related to a possible purchase of its U.S. partner by Microsoft Corp after the Chinese government said it would scrutinize the deal, the Wall Street Journal said Friday.

Alibaba executives believe Microsoft will succeed in its bid for Yahoo, and has hired lawyers and financial advisers to evaluate issues related to a possible deal key among them, how Alibaba could increase managements control in areas such as board composition and voting rights, the Journal said on its Website.

The plan by Alibaba management flows from concerns about how the Chinese government would view a combination of Microsoft and Yahoo if the software giants bid for the U.S. Internet company is successful, the report said.

Microsoft on Jan. 31 made an unsolicited offer for Yahoo then valued at $44.6 billion, or $31 a share which Yahoos board this week rejected.

Alibaba has already been contacted by Chinese regulators seeking information on how it could be affected by a Microsoft purchase, the Journal said.

Yahoo owns 39 percent of Alibaba, which runs its Chinese operation as well as several other Web businesses, including Alibaba.com Ltd, Chinas largest listed Internet company.

The stake makes Yahoo the Chinese companys largest shareholder, but Alibabas management led by founder Jack Ma has retained effective control over its operations.

Alibaba executives are concerned that a possible acquisition of Yahoo by Microsoft, a much bigger company with a tradition of more handson management, could cast doubt on its independence, the Journal said.

Alibabas fourmember board currently includes one Yahoo representative, Chief Executive Jerry Yang.

Another major shareholder in Alibaba is Japans Softbank Corp, which owns about 30 percent of the Chinese company. Softbank is also partners with Yahoo in Yahoo Japan Corp.

Source: http://in.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idINIndia31981120080216

Google Offers to Help Yahoo Fight Off Microsoft

2008-02-15T22:59:00.000-08:00

Almost everyone that knows Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft, knows that Microsoft are trying to buy Yahoo, and Yahoo has politely rejected the offer. However, the drama doesn't end there, Microsoft still openly expresses its interest in Yahoo. And to add the drama, now Google offers to help Yahoo fight Microsoft.

Read the full article below:

Standing between a marriage of Microsoft and Yahoo may be the technology behemoth that has continually outsmarted them: Google.

In an unusually aggressive effort to prevent Microsoft from moving forward with its $44.6 billion hostile bid for Yahoo, Google emerged over the weekend with plans to play the role of spoiler.

Publicly, Google came out against the deal, contending in a statement that the pairing, proposed by Microsoft on Friday in the form of a hostile offer, would pose threats to competition that need to be examined by policy makers around the world.

Privately, Google, seeing the potential deal as a direct attack, went much further. Its chief executive, Eric E. Schmidt, placed a call to Yahoo’s chief, Jerry Yang, offering the company’s help in fending off Microsoft, possibly in the form of a partnership between the companies, people briefed on the call said.

Google’s lobbyists in Washington have also begun plotting how it might present a case against the transaction to lawmakers, people briefed on the company’s plans said. Google could benefit by simply prolonging a regulatory review until after the next president takes office.

In addition, several Google executives made “backchannel” calls over the weekend to allies at companies like Time Warner, which owns AOL, to inquire whether they planned to pursue a rival offer and how they could assist, these people said. Google owns 5 percent of AOL.

Despite Google’s efforts and the work of Yahoo’s own bankers over the weekend to garner interest in a bid to rival Microsoft’s, one did not seem likely, at least at this early stage.

For example, a spokesman for the News Corporation said Sunday night that it was not preparing a bid, and other frequently named prospective suitors like Time Warner, AT&T and Comcast have not begun work on offers, people close to them said. They suggested that they did not want to enter a bidding war with Microsoft, which could easily top their offers.

A spokesman for Time Warner declined to comment, as did a spokesman for Comcast. A representative for AT&T could not be reached.

In the meantime, people close to Yahoo said that the company received a flurry of inquires over the weekend from potential suitors. Some people inside Yahoo have even speculated about the prospect of breaking up the company. That could mean selling or outsourcing its searchrelated business to Google and spinning off or selling its operations that produce original content, these people said.

“Everyone is considering all kinds of options and a deal on search is one of them,” a person familiar with the situation said.

One person involved in Yahoo’s deliberations suggested that “the sum of the parts are worth more than the whole,” arguing that its various pieces like Yahoo Finance, for example, could be sold to a company like the News Corporation for a huge premium while Yahoo Sports could be sold to a company like ESPN, a unit of the Walt Disney Company.

Executives at rival companies were less optimistic about such a breakup strategy. “No one can get to a $44 billion price,” one executive at a major media company said, “even if you split it into a dozen pieces.”

In making its bid for Yahoo, Microsoft is betting that past antitrust rulings against it for abusing its monopoly power in personal computer software will not restrain its hand in an Internet deal.

In the United States, a federal district court in Washington ruled in 2001 that Microsoft had repeatedly violated the law by stifling the threat to its monopoly position posed by Netscape, which popularized the Web browser. The suit, brought during the Clinton administration, was settled by the Bush administration. But as a result of a consent decree extending through 2009, a federal court and a threemember team of technical experts monitors Microsoft’s behavior.

In 2006, for example, after Google complained to the Justice Department and the European Commission that Microsoft was making its MSN search engine the default in the most recent version of its Web browser, Microsoft modified the software so that consumers could easily change to Google or Yahoo.

In Google’s statement on Sunday, it said that the potential purchase of Yahoo by Microsoft could pose threats to competition that needed to be examined by policy makers.

Google’s broadly worded concerns lacked detailed claims about any anticompetitive effects of the deal, and the company did not publicly ask regulators to take specific actions at this time.

“Could Microsoft now attempt to exert the same sort of inappropriate and illegal influence over the Internet that it did with the PC?” asked David Drummond, Google’s senior vice president and chief legal officer, writing on the company’s blog.

Yahoo and Microsoft declined to comment Sunday on Google’s actions. Earlier on Sunday, Microsoft’s general counsel, Bradford L. Smith, said in a statement: “The combination of Microsoft and Yahoo will create a more competitive marketplace by establishing a compelling No. 2 competitor for Internet search and online advertising.”

Google’s effort to derail or delay the deal on antitrust grounds mirrors Microsoft’s own actions with respect to Google’s bid for the online advertising specialist DoubleClick for $3.1 billion, announced in April.

The strategy is not surprising, considering that any delays would work to Google’s benefit. “Google can tap into all of the ill will that Microsoft has created in the last couple of decades on the antitrust front,” said Eric Goldman, director the HighTech Law Institute at the Santa Clara University School of Law.

The outcome of any antitrust inquiry will hinge, in part, on how regulators define various markets. MicrosoftYahoo, for instance, would have a large share of the Webbased email market, but a smaller share of the overall email market.

“The potential concern would be that Microsoft, if it acquires Yahoo, could do on the Internet what it did in the personal computer world — make technical standards more Microsoftcentric and steer consumers to its products,” said Stephen D. Houck, a lawyer representing the states involved in the consent decree against Microsoft.

Yahoo has not made a public statement about the proposed deal since Friday, when it said it was weighing Microsoft’s offer as well as alternatives and would “pursue the best course of action to maximize longterm value for shareholders.”

Carl W. Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond in Virginia, said an antitrust review of the MicrosoftYahoo deal could take a long time and “may well bleed into a new administration with an entire new view on antitrust than the Bush administration.”

Source:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/technology/04yahoo.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin

Buying Phone Cards by MandarinTube

2008-02-11T16:40:00.001-08:00

This is a Skype rechargable phone cards ad. The ad is in Chinese, but there's English subtitle. Enjoy!

Verizon Files False Advertising Lawsuit against Alltel

2008-02-07T13:50:00.000-08:00

America’s second biggest mobile phone carrier, Verizon Wireless, is suing smaller rival, Alltel Corp., for allegedly making false statements about Verizon’s calling plans in its television advertisements.

Alltel, a regional carrier with a presence in 35 U.S. states, apparently suggested in a series of TV commercials that Verizon customers are forced to extend their contracts when they chance calling plans. The ads feature Verizon sales representatives trying to stop customers from switching to Alltel when they learn of Alltel’s supposedly more flexible contract policies.

“Whatever merit this comparison may have to other carriers, in the case of Verizon Wireless, the supposed ‘advantage’ is pure fiction,” Verizon alleged in its false advertising lawsuit, filed at a federal court in Richmond, Virginia on Wednesday.

Verizon customers have been able to change plans without extending their contracts since October 1, 2007, the Basking Ridge, New Jersey-based telecom giant clarified.

Source: Telecom News

Philippines Globe Telecom goes further to the EDGE

2008-02-01T14:41:00.000-08:00

Nokia and Globe Telecom have signed a deal for Nokia to supply GSM/EDGE equipment for Globe Telecoms Phase 10 Network expansion project. The agreement covers the delivery of Nokia Networks equipment such as base station transceiver station, mobile switching center and transit MSC upgrades, home location register, intelligent network, as well as the implementation services related to the network subsystems elements.

This deal follows the recent announcement for Nokia to rollout Globes EDGE network solutions in Metro Manila. Deliveries are expected to start in first quarter 2004, with equipment put into operation based on a progressive schedule. Globes Phase 10 Network expansion project is aimed at providing coverage to rural areas and adding capacity to the network to meet forecasted subscriber growth in 2004. Globe Telecom, Inc. is primarily owned by Ayala Corporation and Singapore Telecom International. It also offers a broad range of wireline voice communication and data transmission services as well as domestic and international long distance communication services.

Source: www.mobilemonday.net/news/philippinesglobetelecomgoesfurthertotheedge

New England Telephone Calling Card Commercial

2008-01-27T15:48:00.000-08:00

It's a pretty old calling card commercial (early 90s), but enjoy!

Survey Calls for Customer Experience Overhaul

2008-01-22T10:37:00.000-08:00

When Forrester Research asked nearly 5,000 consumers about their interactions with a variety of companies to gauge the usefulness, usability, and enjoyability of their experiences, wireless carriers kept coming up short. Consumer feedback indicated that wireless customers are largely displeased with their carriers across the board. The survey, however, also showed they are even unhappier with both their Internet and television service providers.

Forrester used the survey findings to calculate a Customer Experience Index (CxPi) for 112 firms spanning nine industries. With a CxPi of 66%, wireless carriers came in fifth in the industry rankings. Internet providers came in third to last on the list of nine with a CxPi of 62%, and TV service providers followed, beating out only medical insurance providers, at a CxPi of 60%.

Source:
http://www.communicationsdirectnews.com/do.php/100/28166

New Commercials - La Leyenda from IDT

2008-01-19T16:27:00.000-08:00

This is a new phone card commercial: La Leyenda by IDT. It's in spanish.

Guangzhou to Acquire 60% of Lihe Deal to Create Prepaid Joint Venture

2008-01-15T11:49:00.000-08:00

Guangzhou has signed a joint venture agreement with Beijing Lihe Jiahua Technology and Trading Company. Guangzhou, a mobile phone handset and prepaid calling card distributor, and mobile handset value-added services provider in the PRC, said that the company has set up a retail branch in Beijing. The Beijing branch will offer wireless products and value-added technology services. As part of the deal, Guangzhou will also acquire 60% of Lihe for RMB1.5 million. Lihe’s un-audited revenue in 2006 is around 50 million RMB with 4 million RMB of gross profit.

Lihe is a local Beijing company that is the agent of China Unicom in addition to several companies who provide internet games. Lihe is also intends to cooperate with Net Telecom and China Mobile.

Beijing, as host city of the Olympic Games in 2008, is the political center of China. It has advantages in both economics and travel, with a population of 17 million, 5.1 million of which is floating. According to statistics, the coverage of mobile users in Beijing was over 100% last year.

Ms. Li Yankuan, the CEO of the Company, stated, “The setup of the Beijing branch is a crucial step in the integration of our business throughout China. As the capital of China, Beijing is the most developed city in Northern China. Accordingly, we have targeted the city as the most significant place for us to expand our business.”

Source:
http://www.prepaid-press.com/news_detail.php?t=paper&id=1996

011 Mobile Launches Mobile International Dialing Enables International Calling from Mobile Device

2008-01-06T22:04:00.000-08:00

Through its partnership with ANI Networks, a Tier 1 network provider, 011 Mobile has rolled out an international calling plan that provides the convenience low cost international calling from a mobile device. 011 Mobile, a Las Vegas-based MVNO, will now be providing mobile international rates comparable to both landline and prepaid calling card rates.

011 is attempting to address the growing needs of the international customer, who is usually forced to use a prepaid calling card to make an international call. Even though most customers have cell phones, the rates to international destinations from a mobile phone have not been comparable to landline rates.

“We are looking forward to serving those customers with family members abroad, the international business person, and international visitors to our country, with a competitive rate on a network they can rely on. This market has been under served and taken advantage of for far too long,” said Adam Bonaldi, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for 011 Mobile.

011 Mobile says its international rates do not carry additional fees and surcharges.

Source: http://callingcards.bravejournal.com/archive/01/1/2008

Phone Cards for Troops

2008-01-02T10:49:00.000-08:00

Many phone cards have been given out for troops in Iraq to help them keep in touch with their family back home in US. Read: Phone Card Fundraiser for Troops, and AT&T Donates Prepaid Phone Cards to U.S. Military Overseas.

However, using prepaid phone cards aren't the only way to stay connected, and here are some reasons why:

1) Some Military bases have AT&T pay phones installed and allow for the use of calling cards but beware the cards won't deliver the promissed minutes because they will incur a pay phone fee and if it is a non AT&T calling card will incur at least another $1.50 network access fee. These fees come off the balance of the card, resulting in less minutes. I have even heard reports that some of the pay phones block acess to other non AT&T 800 numbers.

2) Some Morale, Welfare and Recreation posts actualy offer VOIP Phone calling and the costs can be much better than phone cards but they are harder to come bye and subject to more "lag" and quality degradation based on the internet signal strength.

3) Government DSN phones are also available in some places where a soldier connects directly to an operator who connects him/her to the party of their hoice. The rates are similar to that of calling from your home phone in the US.

4) Iraq cell phones are also available locally to the troops but you must buy them off base. From what I hear the coverage is ok but the rates are somewhat more expensive.

5) Last but not least are sat phones which are not as plentiful but they deffinately are useful in the more remote bases in Iraq where the amenities are not as plentiful.

see tons of press releases out there about groups sending over phone cards to the troops in Iraq to help them call home and always wondered if people really understood the "phone" situation over there. To help calrify, here are a few hings you should know:

In short, base camps in Iraq do support communication. It's not like they're in the middle of nowhere with technology devices. So if you have family member(s) who are serving in Iraq, consult with them and see which one of the above options is best for them and see if you can help them out in another way. Sometimes a phone card may be the best choice but other times more practical and economical methods are available.

7-Eleven, Inc. and RNK Communications Partner to Offer Low-Cost Prepaid International Calling Service

2007-12-30T11:24:00.000-08:00

A prepaid offering from RNK Communications’s ReVoS telephone service, ReVoS PrepaidMobile, will be distributed exclusively through participating 7-Eleven convenience stores nationwide.

For $19.99 per month, ReVoS PrepaidMobile complements a customer's existing cellular service plan, with no additional equipment necessary. ReVoS PrepaidMobile offers unlimited calling to 42 international destinations, including Canada, China, Europe and Mexico. Customers can re-charge their PrepaidMobile cards at any 7-Eleven convenience stores, at the rate of $19.99 per month (plus tax).

"Over the years, RNK has provided telephony services to tens of millions of individuals worldwide, and through our partnership with 7-Eleven - the world's best known convenience retailer - we are now empowered to offer consumers the industry's most affordable mobile solution for international (and domestic) calling," said Richard N. Koch, CEO, RNK Communications. "The ReVoS line is the most cost-effective prepaid service the market has seen, with calling features that best address the increasing global demand. PrepaidMobile represents the natural progression of our business and our relentless commitment to providing consumers affordable, quality calling services."

"For our customers who have international calling needs, this may be as big as the prepaid long distance phone cards introduced more than 10 years ago," said Joe DePinto, 7-Eleven's president and CEO. "7-Eleven was the first national retailer to bring those to the market, and we're always on the lookout for the latest and greatest new products to meet the needs of those on the go. Our customers expect new products from 7-Eleven that make their lives easier and give them more value for their money, and our suppliers know to bring us innovative ideas. ReVoS fills the bill on all counts."

Source:
http://www.prepaid-press.com/news_detail.php?t=paper&id=1655

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-25T10:39:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas 2007 & Happy New Year 2008!

From Phone Card Stop crews.

Canadian Regulators Examine Ethics of Long Distance Calling Cards

2007-12-20T13:39:00.000-08:00

Canada’s Competition Bureau scrutinizing businesses that sell prepaid long distance phone cards, saying

that it wants to ensure that customers are clearly informed what they’re getting when purchasing the

popular convenience items.

The Ottawa-based competition watchdog is asking calling card providers to plainly indicate the effective

rate per minute and number of minutes available on each card in all advertising campaigns. Regulators are

also warning card sellers to to discontinue the use of fine print with disclaimers that contradict the

primary message on the card or advertising material.

The agency claims that it gets numerous complaints every year from customers saying that their calling cards came with fewer minutes than advertised, or entailed hidden charges.

“Consumers need to be provided with accurate information so that they can make informed decisions and businesses need to be aware of the standards they need to follow in order to conform to the provisions of the Competition Act,” the Competition Bureau’s acting deputy commissioner, Andrea Rosen.

The Bureau also imparted some good old fashioned buyer-beware advice for customers, however, noting that “when deciding which type of prepaid calling card to purchase, consumers should be wary of ‘too good to be true’ claims such as ‘the lowest rates’ or ‘one cent per minute’ as there may be hidden extra charges.”

Phone Card Fundraiser for Troops

2007-12-18T22:29:00.000-08:00

A fund raiser held in Texarkana AR Elks Lodge #399, AR to purchase phone cards for troops overseas for the holiday season. The fund raiser was highlighted by two performances by "Elvis" Butch Dicus from Jacksonville AR & a dance featuring the Classic Gold Band with Windy & Richard. The admission was $10 per person & all proceeds with be used for phone card purchases. The even was held on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 from 7pm to 11pm @ 4701 Garland Avenue, Texarkana, AR 71854.

The Calling Card

2007-12-12T16:14:00.000-08:00

This is a Phone Card "mini movie." Enjoy!

Coinstar Announces New Products

2007-12-09T11:55:00.000-08:00

Coinstar E-Payment Services Inc., a Coinstar Inc. company, announced two new products for its Pay-As-You-Go program. The new products, Azteca Mobile and Ilimitado Mexico (Unlimited Mexico), are marketed towards the Mexicans living in United States.

Azteca Mobile is a prepaid wireless program that provides voice and data capabilities, which includes two-way radio services and phone numbers for both the United States and Mexico. Unlimited Mexico from TeleCents Communications is a pay-per-call card that can be used from any phone. When a specified domestic toll-free access number is dialed, international long-distance calling rates are eliminated.

Coinstar’s Pay-As-You-Go product suite includes universal and single brand gift cards, national and regional wireless programs, long distance cards, prepaid debit cards, and money transfer. This turnkey program is available to convenience stores and other retailers to drive incremental traffic and revenue. With no upfront costs, Coinstar provides retailers with a complete category management solution including point-of-sale integration, inventory set-up and management, retail merchandising, and reporting.

Source:
http://www.prepaid-press.com/news_detail.php?t=pt&id=941

New Solo Phone Disconnects Skype from Computer

2007-12-02T13:08:00.000-08:00

Ipevo, a maker of Skype telephones, has unveiled the Solo, a phone that makes VoIP calls without having to be plugged in to a computer. The Solo jacks directly in to a broadband Internet wall jack. WiFi is not supported at this time, though Ipevo expects to release a dongle that will enable that capability by the end of the year.

Skype hardware maker Ipevo announced on Tuesday the U.S. launch of the Solo, a desktop Skype phone that makes phone calls over the Internet without being tethered to a computer.
Ipevo officials hope the stand-alone device will catch the fancy of users who shy away from computers. The always-on phone, however, requires a broadband Internet connection.

The Solo is embedded with Skype software so users can place phone calls to anywhere in the world from any available wired broadband connection. "The Solo allows users to Skype without the overhead of being tethered to a computer. Some people don't like to have their computers always on just to use the phone. Others just like have a separate phone connection," Ed Lucero, Ipevo's vice president and general manger for North America, told TechNewsWorld.

Familiarity Counts The company based its design for the Solo on usability standards that will give the Internet phone the look and feel of a traditional household phone. It comes equipped with an RJ-45 Ethernet connector and Skype software so users can make and receive Internet voice calls right out of the box.

Setup is as simple as plugging in the network cable, logging in to the user's Skype account and placing a call. Solo supports Skype-to-Skype, SkypeIn, SkypeOut and Skype Voicemail features that enable customers to take advantage of Skype's free calling to other Skype users, as well as the low-cost rates to call mobile phones and landlines anywhere in the world.

"Technology is not meant to be complex. In fact, the most innovative products fit in perfectly with our everyday lives and become second nature," said Lucero. "We've made placing a Skype call as easy and familiar as placing a regular phone call."

WiFi Soon The Solo also has a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port on the rear panel next to the Ethernet connector. Although that port is not functional now, it will accommodate a wireless expansion very soon, according to Lucero.

The Solo cannot be powered with a cable between the USB port on the Solo and a computer. The Solo needs to be plugged into an AC power supply, Lucero said. Neither will the Solo work with a user's wireless router connected to a computer system . Users will have to connect the phone device by cable to an available RJ-45 connector on the router. "We will release by the end of this year a WiFi dongle that will allow users to make a wireless connection to the Internet," Lucero said.

Key Features The Solo has a one-click speakerphone function for hands-free talking. LED indicators show the power on/off status, missed call, message waiting, mute and speakerphone modes.

The Skype phone also has memory keys for speed dialing and a 2.4-inch TFT color LCD display with adjustable viewing angle. Cost and Availability The Solo go on sale Oct. 9 for US$169.99.

Source:
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/59721.html

State Recovers $19 million in Settlement with Qwest

2007-11-24T12:46:00.000-08:00

Alaska has negotiated a $19 million securities fraud settlement with Denver-based Qwest Communications International Incorporated.

The Department of Law reported Wednesday that the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation will receive $13 million of that sum.

The Department of Revenue and the Alaska Retirement Management Board will receive $6 million.

This represents the third settlement Alaska has negotiated with corporations in as many years.

Two years ago, it received $45 million dollars from AOL Time Warner; last year the state landed $14 million from WorldCom.

Source:
http://www.9news.com/money/top-article.aspx?storyid=81445

Phonetime's YTD Revenue Over $50 Million

2007-11-16T09:56:00.000-08:00

Phonetime Inc., one of Canada's leading suppliers of long distance telecommunication services, today announced that as of the end of July its revenue has exceeded $50 million for the year-to-date, more than doubling last years total revenues. In addition it has processed over 1.5 billion minutes of long distance traffic so far in 2007.

Phonetime attributes its surge in revenue in 2007 to the Company's decision to expand into wholesale markets world-wide. In addition to the dynamic growth of its wholesale operation, Phonetime's retail operation Call Select has also achieved record sales, contributing consistent monthly revenues of over $1 million with higher margins. Completing Phonetime's vertically integrated sales strategy, the Company has also seen improved sales growth of its legacy phone card business.

Wayne Silver, Phonetime's President and CEO, stated that, "it's clear we are offering exceptional value to both our wholesale and retail clients. Our annual sales volume of long distance traffic is very significant and gives us buying power equalled by only the incumbent Canadian telephone companies. Moreover, we believe these results are a testament not only to the size of our world-wide network, but also to the quality of our services and the superior efforts of our staff. As a result, we look forward to continued revenue growth."

Rodney Franklin, Phonetime's Chairman and CFO, commented, "The fact that significant revenue is derived from both our retail and wholesale services validates our earlier strategic decision to diversify our service offerings and expand our network facilities into Europe and develop a presence in the United States. We are confident that as we trend towards $100 million in revenue, our position as an important supplier of international telecommunications services will be recognized by the financial markets."

Source:
http://biz.yahoo.com/ccn/070808/200708080406412001.html?.v=1

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Lays Down USF on Prepaid Phone Card Companies

2007-11-10T10:29:00.000-08:00

Looks like most of calling cards and VoIP companies now have to scramble to get in compliance with the new laws requiring them to collect Universal Service Fund (USF) fees from all users. VoIP users will see it in additional fees on their monthly phone bill, but calling card users will not see it as directly since most phone card providers will just build it into the rates. What the phone card customers will notice is less minute.

FCC also requires Prepaid Caling Card Service Provider to have a certification before being approved to run their business.

Source:
http://www.fcc.gov

Inside Scoop: Blackstone (Telecom Company)

2007-11-05T10:26:00.000-08:00

This video shows the inside office of Blackstone, their marketing of their prepaid phone cards through Prepaid Stop machines. Enjoy =)

Deutsche Telekom Eyes Hutchison Whampoa’s European Wireless Businesses

2007-11-02T09:47:00.001-07:00

Germany’s incumbent telephone carrier, Deutsche Telekom, is planning to make further acquisitions in Western Europe in the coming months, and is considering Hutchison Whampoa’s wireless units as potential buyout targets, according to Wirtschaftswoche, a German weekly business magazine.

Hutchison operates mobile networks under the “3” brand name in Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, as well as in non-European countries such as Indonesia, Australia, and its home market of Hong Kong.

Its operations in Austria, Italy, Ireland, and the UK are currently being eyed by Deutsche Telekom, according to sources cited by Wirtschaftswoche, although no concrete negotiations between Deutsche and Hutchison are known to be occurring at this time.

In US, Deutsche Telekom owns T-Mobile mobile phone carrier.

Source:
http://www.teleclick.ca/2007/10/deutsche-telekom-eyes-hutchison-whampoas-european-wireless-businesses/

Lawsuit against IDT, Provider of Prepaid Phone Cards

2007-10-23T10:41:00.000-07:00

Class action
Does a class action lawsuit get our industry’s attention? Not really. When IDT, the volume leader in our effervescent industry, the “Coca Cola” in a world of Pepsi and Dr. Pepper, was named in a class action lawsuit, few people in our industry seemed to care. The suit represented U.S. customers who purchased IDT calling cards from 1997 to Jan. 22, 2007, claiming that the amount of minutes advertised on cards did not match the amount of minutes delivered. Sound familiar? As IDT headed to the courthouse, many of their competitors seemed to continue doing business as usual. IDT’s decision to fight the allegations brought heated discussion at a past Intele-CardNews Editorial Advisory Board meeting held by this magazine. Some felt IDT was surely wrong and should pay. IDT maintained innocence and the right to defend against any and all allegations. In January when the suit was settled for $20 million, IDT continued to maintain innocence, but agreed to settle to eliminate litigation costs and uncertainties.

Tit for tat
After settling their lawsuit and amending their business practices, IDT’s second-quarter results were less than stellar. In fact, a 10 percent drop in revenue led IDT to investigate its competitors’ calling cards. IDT claims they found their rivals significantly overstating the number of minutes delivered on their cards. In what some would call an ingenious business maneuver and others would term a total shock, on March 8, 2007, IDT sued six of its competitors, alleging that the companies were essentially doing what IDT was accused of in the class action suit, not delivering advertised minutes on prepaid calling cards. IDT’s civil anti-fraud lawsuit is seeking preliminary and permanent injunctions against the competing companies. The complaint alleges that deceptive practices by their competitors are causing consumers to lose more than $1 million a day. They are merely trying to level the playing field, they say. This leaves some pundits wondering how long this can go on? How many more lawsuits will there be? Will this industry be driven out of business by legal fees? Will smaller companies be forced out of business or will they start delivering the minutes they advertise?

Source:
http://www.intelecard.com/

Funny Phone Ads

2007-10-16T13:29:00.001-07:00

source: www.seanquinnproductions.tk

Jury Issues $156 million Dollar Judgement Against At&t Over Prepaid Calling Cards

2007-10-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

A federal jury recently ruled in favor of Dallas based TGIP Inc. on their claim that At&t had used two of their patents that allowed the company to deliver point of sale activation for some of their prepaid calling cards. The lawsuit was originally filed back in March of 2006 and named At&t as well as Verizon, MCI and IDT. The later three companies settled out of court but At&t fought it all the way.

The $156 million dollar award was determined by a 4% royalty on At&ts 3.5 billion in calling card sales during the time frame in question.While At&t is going to appeal the verdict, it seems as if this company has set the proper precedent in court to lay claim to most of the POSA technology in the market today.

Ariel Lin in Phone Card Ads (Part 2)

2007-10-11T22:33:00.000-07:00

This is another version of the same phone card ad featuring Ariel Lin.

Click here for the other phonecard ad featuring Ariel Lin

Enjoy !

Vonage Introduces New International Calling Packages

2007-10-10T14:35:00.000-07:00

Broadband phone provider, Vonage, has launched a number of new international calling plans for new and existing residential subscribers in the U.S.

The new plans are available to Premium Unlimited customers for an additional monthly fee of $6 to $15 per month. The Premium Unlimited service costs $24.99 per month, and comes with built-in unlimited calling within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, and the UK.

Vonage is now offering customized international long distance plans covering Asia, Europe, and Latin America, as well as a “world” service encompassing 60 overseas jurisdictions.

To better promote these new options, Vonage has added a special search function to its international rates page, allowing customers to conveniently determine which international plan suits them best.

Souce:
http://www.teleclick.ca/2007/09/vonage-introduces-new-international-calling-packages/

Beware of the Hidden Fees in Phone Cards

2007-09-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

Woman Won Over Verizon's False Bill Claims

2007-09-22T09:50:00.000-07:00

Shaila Touchton, an Indian-decent woman, was very surprised one day when she received a bill from Verizon for $590 for calls to India, Colorado and New Jersey. When she complained to Verizon's customer service, they put her in a long hold for hours several times, and they still claimed that she owed them for those long distance and international calls.

Touchton has been using a particular calling card to make calls to India and other long distance calls, and always used the 1-800 number. She said she never did long distance and international calls directly from her phone, and moreover, the Colorado and New Jersey calls proved this bill wass false since she and her husband did not know anyone in those states.

After getting nowhere with the customer service, she finally contacted a media outlet in south Florida. As soon as the media outlet contacted Verizon, they credited her account for those disputed calls. However, even though they credited her back, they still belive that she accidently punched the wrong dial when using her prepaid phone card and got switched to Verizon's international calling plan.

Not saying this woman is lying but having been in this business for a while, there have been so many times people calling into the calling card customer service department saying that their local phone company charged them for calls they made using the prepaid phone cards. And 9 out of 10 times it is usually due to users' error, forgetting to dial the access number and just dialing directly. It is possible that Verizon made a mistake but it's also possible that she made a mistake.

Source:
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=63720

Sprint Will Launch Airave Indoor Antena in Denver, Indianapolis

2007-09-16T14:36:00.000-07:00

Sprint will begin to offer the Airave CDMA booster antenna, which is designed to be installed alongside a broadband internet connection similar to T-Mobile's new @Home service.

Unlike T-Mobile's offering, the Airave does not require new handsets, nor does it suffer from range and maximum user constraints, allowing three simultaneous users as well as providing a total useful range of 5000 square feet.

The unit will launch initially in the Denver and Indianapolis markets for $50, with monthly service fees of $15 dollars for a single line of service, and $30 dollars under family service plans.

Source: http://www.phonenews.com/content/view/2308/9/

Ariel Lin in Phone Card Ads

2007-09-10T10:32:00.000-07:00

Enjoy =)

2007 JD Power and Associates Prepaid Wireless Customer Satisfaction Results

2007-08-16T14:03:00.000-07:00

JD Power and Associates released their 2007 prepaid wireless customer satisfaction results yesterday and to no surprise Virgin Mobile was on top! Also this being the second year for the study, the customer satisfaction results seemed to be much improved over 2006 numbers. The reason for the improvement was mostly due to much more attractive plan offerings and better pricing.Virgin Mobile won the top spot for the second year in a row followed by AT&T, GO Phone, Boost Mobile and T-Mobile To Go.

Statistically:

Prepaid users spend an average of $38 when purchasing additional airtime. Comparatively, the average monthly service cost for typical postpaid customers is $71.
Prepaid customers report using 218 minutes per month, less than one-half as much as postpaid customers, who average 528 minutes per month.
Approximately 59 percent of prepaid phones that are prepackaged with minutes are purchased from retail stores, while an additional 25 percent of customers report purchasing a prepackaged phone via the Internet.
Approximately 16 percent of customers purchase activated minutes cards separately from their cell phones.
The percentage of prepaid customers who use a card provided by their local retailer to purchase additional airtime minutes is equal to the percentage of customers who use the provider's Web site to do so 36 percent.
Thirteen percent of prepaid customers use their handsets to purchase additional minutes in 2007, which has increased from 10 percent in 2006.

To read more about the survey and read the whole piece from the above quote, go to JD Power web site

Cell Phone & Cards Magic Trick

2007-08-05T23:20:00.000-07:00

IDT Looses Appeal on Lawsuit by Former Executive

2007-07-31T23:10:00.000-07:00

Alfred West, the current President & CEO of Xchange Telecom, Inc., had originally filed suit against IDT for what he claims was a breach of contract when he was forced out after only 6 months of employment (Feb 2001 to August 2001). West presented a handwritten agreement that he had signed by Howard Jonas which was reportedly to guarantee him 15 million over the life of the deal. It appears as if West, a former executive at Econophone and Viatel was given the promise of emplyment in exhange for brinign his contacts and much of the Viatel buisness and property rights on board. From what IDT contended, Wright falsely promised the rights to things he did not have any ownership of so therefore they let him walk and was the preliminary defense IDT used.The original decision was in favor of IDT claiming that he did not have sufficient right to be paid the remaining un-worked period of the contract but a court of appeals has just overturned this decision and sided in favor of Mr. West. If all stands up IDT will be forced to pay up.

To view the full court of appeals document click here

Blackstone Got Out of Trouble

2007-07-28T08:07:00.000-07:00

Blackstone, a telecom company, has successfully fought the fine that the FCC brought against them. On February, Blackstone was charged with a $20,000 fine for failure to register with the FCC and pay the appropriate USF (Universal Service Fee). The Bureau is claiming they have made repeated requests of Blackstone to get in line and register but have received no response from Blackstone and no cooperation.

Blackstone apparently ignored requests from the FCC asking them to file and make certain types of paperwork available because they felt they are not a service provider, just a phone card distributor, so therefore there was no need to file. Like many other prepaid calling cards distributors, they have made claims as such to their end users (common practice).

While the $20,000 fine may not look like a lot, the amount was actualy increased significantly from the base fine for this type of infraction due to Blackstone's complete lack of response or cooperation with the Bureau. However, Blackstone has since provided the paper work proving that they are not a long distance carrier, just a distributor, and as a result the $20,000 fine has been removed and the matter dropped.

Source:
http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2007/DA-07-3235A1.html

Pizza & Phone Card Combo

2007-07-24T08:21:00.000-07:00

A pizza chain out of Texas, Pizza Patron, will begin selling unlimited Mexico calling cards in all of their restaurants. The service is provided by BlagCard(TM) and the calls are mainly carried by at&t. Pizza Patron currently has over 60 stores in Texas as well as in a few surrounding states, with another 40 or so chains set to open within the next year.

Cards will be sold in $5, $10 and $30 denominations, delivering either 2, 7 or 30 days of unlimited calling to Mexico.

While the press release does not say if these cards will be available with delivery of a pizza, it is an interesting concept and truly a unique partnership the likes that this industry has never seen before.

Source:
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-23-2007/0004630312&EDATE=

International Calling Destinations on US Phone Cards

2007-06-30T16:08:00.000-07:00

Below are the top called country from continental US on 2004. Although it's not up to date, but the data hasn't changed drastically, and still reflects the current market.

Breakdown by Continent:
North and Central America = 30% (this has no doubt decreased since 04)
South America = 19% (this has no doubt increased since 04)
Western Europe = 13%
Asia = 10%
Eastern Europe = 7%
Caribbean = 6%
Africa = 6%
Other = 9%

Breakdown Of Minutes Made Using US Calling Cards by Country:
Mexico 2,033.3 million minutes
Canada 948.9 million minutes
Columbia 801.3 million minutes
Brazil 629.6 million minutes
UK 489.5 million minutes
Dominican Republic 489.0 million minutes
El Salvador 406.7 million minutes
Guatemala 361.5 million minutes
India 331.4 million minutes
Germany 293.7 million minutes

IDT Telecom Cuts Back to Cover Loss

2007-06-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, June 7, IDT announced their 3rd quarter results and the picture looked bad. Their net loss, 15.9 million, was nearly double that of Q3 from 1 year ago (8.6 million). Revenue was announced at $485.4 million down from $547.2 million 1 year ago.

This seems to have caught many off guard as most analysts, who up until Wednesday had IDT stock as "hold," quickly changed their recommendations to "sell." While IDT officials kept up beat and political during the announcement, they drew no detailed plans of how they were going to turn the company around. Instead they kept blaming the poor performance on "the unfair business practices" of other calling card companies, a point of contention for them and the subject of an ongoing lawsuit.

As a result of the loss, IDT announced during their earnings call that they have just cut 300 jobs from the Telecom division. Add this to the 570 or so jobs cut in late summer last year and the company is pushing almost a 25% reduction in its work force from last year (Yahoo had IDT listed at 4,000 employees up until last week when they adjusted this number to 3,000).

Source:
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070606/earns_idt.html?.v=1

AT&T Wireless Adds More Flexibility to Prepaid Cell Phone Plans

2007-06-07T13:42:00.000-07:00

America’s leading mobile phone carrier, AT&T Wireless, is making a new slate of calling and messaging features available to prepaid cell phone subscribers, in an attempt to make its GoPhone Pay-As-You-Go offering more flexible and competitive.
AT&T’s prepaid customers can now buy 3,000 additional Night & Weekend minutes at a fixed cost of $19.99/month, or 200 text and multimedia messages for $4.99. Mobile data bandwidth is also being offered on a prepaid basis, costing $9.99 for 5MB.
Prepaid airtime can now be rolled over from one month to the next, provided that a customer renews his or her services by the end of each 30-day billing period.

Source:
http://www.teleclick.ca/2007/06/att-wireless-adds-more-flexibility-to-prepaid-cell-phone-plans

Korea Prepaid Phone Cards get a Boost with Korea Travel Cards

2007-05-27T11:20:00.000-07:00

Travelling in Korea has never been easier for visitors who take full advantage of the Korea Travel Card (KTC) which alleviates the need for cash while travelling in Korea. By using the KTC tourists don’t need to worry about currency exchange and can use the card for shopping or paying for accommodation, dining or sightseeing while travelling in Korea. The KTC is accepted in almost three million credit card member stores.

There are also benefits for visitors including up to 90% discount on domestic and international calls, free travel insurance, preferential currency exchange rates and additional discounts at special discount member stores, and much more.The card allows visitors to purchase theatre tickets up to 10% off at certain theatres like Nanta and Tokebi Storm and the Chongdong Theatre, all shows with a Korean flavour which are popular with foreign visitors. Discounts are also available at KTO Duty Free Stores.The KTC can be purchased in amounts of W100,000, W200,000, W300,000 and W500,000.

The card can only be purchased in Korea at Shinhan bank locations, Chohung Bank, Jeju Bank or the tourist information centre in the Korea Tourism Organization Seoul headquarters. Some tourist attractions on Jeju Island offer up to 40% off the normal entrance fees. While on Jeju Island you can visit the Folk Village Museum, Jeju Love Land, Happy Town, Hot Air Balloon Theme Park and a host of other unique attractions at special discount rates. Aside from the Travel Card there is the KTC transportation pass which is a multipurpose card with all the standard features of the Korea Travel Card with the additional feature of using the card as a transportation pass as well.

For travelers visting Seoul who enjoy a spot of gambling the KTC Seven Luck Card will be useful. The Seven Luck Card is an electronic gift certificate which is prepaid and multifunctional including the function of a calling card. With discounts available at affiliated stores such as Lotte Department store, you can also use the card to exchange your lucky mileage points for a KTC Seven Luck Card, which can be accumulated whenever you visit Seven Luck Casino.

For more information on the Korea Travel Card, KTC Transportation Pass and KTC seven Luck Card visit the official Korea Tourism.

Source:
http://english.tour2korea.com/06shopping/KoreaTravelCard/ktc.asp?konum=subm1_1&kosm=m6_4

Prepaid Press Virtual Conference & Expo

2007-05-08T13:36:00.000-07:00

The Prepaid Press, a regular news paper publisher for the prepaid industry, decided to start a "Virtual Expo" rather than host one in a hotel or convention center. They claim it is a great thing that will allow you to participate, view and contribute at your own schedule. The seminars will be available for days after they have first been conducted and the virtual exhibit hall will also be up and running for weeks.

It must be nice to attend a conference in PJ ;)

Phone Cards Guide

2007-03-17T10:39:00.000-07:00

What is the Future of Prepaid Phone Cards?

2007-02-27T11:05:00.000-08:00

While most of us will no doubt agree the prepaid phone card boom is well behind us, but the real question now is what kind of future does the prepaid card business hold?The answer, seems to be clear by the fact that the once powerful companies, like UTA and STI are just not doing well. Sales of prepaid cards are at an all time low and I think the market was just so badly managed and abused that the customers are more willing to try other methods of long distance calling, like with prepaid cellular phone, VOIP services (Skype/Vonage) as well as traditional long distance. The idea that the average prepaid phone card customer is credit challenged and prefers cash business is changing and more and more immigrants are either becoming more credit enabled or now have the means, through prepaid cash cards and other debit systems, to buy more mainstream services. Immigrant consumers are more educated and technology savvy than they were 5 years ago and the rates that Ma Bell and VOIP players are offering today are so low that it is almost no wonder why a lot of people are turning away from phone cards.

Phone Card of Emerald Court

2007-02-15T22:14:00.000-08:00

Phone Card of Emerald Court

FCC Lays Down USF on Prepaid Calling Card Companies

2007-02-06T23:20:00.000-08:00

Looks like most calling card and VoIP companies are now having to scramble to get in compliance with new laws requiring them to collect Universal Service Fund (USF) fees from all users. VoIP users will se it in additional fees on their monthly phone bill but calling card users will not see it directly as most providers will just build it into the rates. Where end users will notice it, is with less competitive per minute rates.I guess it's only fair since Ma Bell has been having to collect these fees forever but in the end it just means less minutes for the money.

Skype Launches SkypeOut System to Boosts Its Free VoIP International Long Distance Calling Plan

2007-01-27T20:31:00.000-08:00

Skype is going all out to strengthen its position in its market. Skype has always tried to stay competitive in a rather intense market. But, now by offering the SkypeOut system, Skype users can call anywhere in America or Canada for free. Previously, users of the downloadable peer-to-peer voice service had to purchase credit to make calls to non-Skype users. However, the new free SkypeOut service trumps even similar VoIP applications.

Skype traditionally has had greater user adoption in Europe. Most domestic users of VoIP services tend to gravitate toward ISP branded services. The free service strategy is a gusty move by Skype to capture more users and eventually transform them to paying customers. In addition, by pursuing this strategy, the competition will be under a severe pressure to keep up with Skype. By offering the SkypeOut service, Skype is trying to build its user base so that, in addition to levying fees for some add-on services, it could sell advertising on its Web site or even at the beginning of phone calls.

Source:
http://www.voip-news.com/news/skype-free-051506/

Tax Refunds for Phone Card Retailers

2007-01-05T19:53:00.000-08:00

With tax time upon us, just wanted to make sure that those of you who have not yet filed, be sure to use the Federal Excise tax credit.

While every home user qualifies for a credit on their post paid telephone services, prepaid card Excise tax was always the responsibility of either the carrier or the retailer, so therefore they can qualify for a refund. As long as the phone card was not restricted to local-only service, the retailer or service privider is eligible to request the refund.

The government stopped the LD excise tax (3%) last August after a federal court decisions stated that the tax does not apply to long distance service anymore as it was dated. The IRS also authorized a one-time refund of the 3 percent federal excise tax collected on service billed during the previous 41 months, stretching from the beginning of March 2003 to the end of July 2006.

Businesses request the refund by filling out Form 8913, Credit for Federal Telephone Excise Tax Paid, and attaching it to their regular income-tax return. More information on the refund is available in the “Telephone Excise Tax Refund” section on the front page of IRS.gov.

Call to Mexico Mobile Rates Go Up

2007-01-05T12:03:00.000-08:00

You may have noticed that calling to Mexican celular phones has increased considerably lately. The Mexican government just passed a law to increase the cost of calls made to mobile phones significantly. The bill requires all calls made to a cell phone in Mexico to rise by 14 cents a minute. Both callers in Mexico and callers outside Mexico will have to pay the additional fee making for one of the biggest fare hikes in recent telecom history.Now Mexico comes into line with many other countries, who charge the calling party significantly more for calls made to mobile phones. The US and a handfull of other countries are the only ones who don't charge a different rate for calls made into mobile phones.The effective retail rate for most companies will be around $0.31 a minute to complete calls to Mexico Mobile.

Study Warns Cell Phones Could Cause Airliner Crash

2006-12-06T23:10:00.000-08:00

Lifting the current ban on use of cell phones aboard airliners could pose the risk of a major accident, according to a new engineering study.

The study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers has found that cell phones and other portable electronic devices, like laptops and game-playing devices, can pose dangers to the normal operation of critical electronics on airplanes. The study will be featured in an article appearing in the March issue of IEEE Spectrum.

"We found that the risk posed by these portable devices is higher than previously believed," said Bill Strauss, who recently completed his Ph.D. at Carnegie Mellon. "These devices can disrupt normal operation of key cockpit instruments, especially Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, which are increasingly vital for safe landings." Strauss is an expert in aircraft electromagnetic compatibility at the Naval Air Warfare Center in Patuxent River, Md.

With support from the Federal Aviation Administration, three major airlines and the Transportation Security Agency, researchers crisscrossed the northeast United States on commercial flights, monitoring radio emissions from passenger use of cell phones and other electronic devices. They tracked these radio emissions via a broadband antenna attached to a compact portable spectrum analyzer that fit into an innocuous carry-on bag.

"A laptop computer controlled the system and logged the data," said researcher Granger Morgan. "While we looked primarily at wireless phones, we also discovered that emissions from other portable electronic devices were problematic." The researchers found that on average one to four cell phone calls are typically made from every commercial flight in the northeast United States. Some of these calls are made during critical flight stages such as climb-out, or on final approach. This could cause accidents, the investigators report.

Both Strauss and Morgan, along with Carnegie Mellon researchers Jay Apt and Dan Stancil, recommend that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the FAA begin to coordinate electronic emission standards.

At the moment, there is no formal coordination between the two federal agencies. The researchers also recommend routine monitoring of on-board radio emissions by flight data recorders and deploying specially designed tools for flight crews to monitor passenger use of electronic devices during final approach.

While the FCC recently suggested that it might be appropriate to allow passengers to use cell phones and other electronic devices on airplanes, Morgan disagrees. "We feel that passenger use of portable electronic devices on aircraft should continue to be limited for the safety of all concerned," Morgan said.

Source:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/03/cell_phones_planes.html

UnionTelecard.com Receives a Face Lift

2006-11-20T13:20:00.000-08:00

The perennial super power in the prepaid calling card business just launched it's newly redesigned Uniontelecard.com which features less product selection but all cards are now fully rechargeable and feature pin less dialing. They no doubt realized that most of their cards were not suitable for the online consumer and decided to limit it to about 8 cards.This new web site design and focus on rechargeable cards now make Union Telecard Alliance one of the most powerful online retailer of phone cards.

Telecom Charity Fundraiser upset with amount of charity phone card donation for Dancing with Stars Cast a Vote Fundraiser

2006-11-15T12:05:00.000-08:00

The Multiple Sclerosis Society is disappointed that one of its board members has criticised Telecom for the amount of money it gains from Dancing with the Stars donations.

It costs $1 to cast a vote on the hit show and board member Brian Stevens has expressed disappointment that Telecom keeps 40 cents of that. The remainder goes to a charity of the dancer's choice.

Society president Gay Dickie says Mr Stevens was not speaking on behalf of the board. She says the board did discuss the issue, but the society is delighted to have benefited from the support of Telecom and the show.

Ms Dickie says the society did very well out of the show last year and that helped many MS sufferers across the country.

Update: Congress puts in there two cents to phone card calling record collecting!

2006-11-12T18:05:00.000-08:00

Congress Vows Scrutiny of Phone-Record Collecting (Update)

May 12 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. lawmakers are vowing to take a close look at the government's secret collection of millions of phone records and will demand answers from President George W. Bush's nominee to head the Central Intelligence Agency.
Disclosure of the National Security Agency program yesterday reverberated across Capitol Hill, where members of Congress introduced legislation, called for investigations and pledged to order executives from the biggest U.S. phone companies to testify about their role in the effort. Air Force General Michael Hayden, the former NSA chief nominated to head the CIA, will get extra scrutiny, Democratic and Republican lawmakers said.

"We are on our way to a major constitutional confrontation on the Fourth Amendment guarantees on unreasonable searches and seizure," said Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, who sits on the intelligence subcommittee that was briefed on the program. "This is also going to present a growing impediment to the confirmation to General Hayden."

Bush, responding to the outcry, made a hastily arranged appearance at the White House where he defended the administration's spying efforts as necessary to fight terrorists. He didn't confirm or deny the program, which was reported yesterday by USA Today. "The privacy of ordinary Americans is fiercely protected in all our activities," Bush said. `"We're not mining or trolling through the personal lives of millions of innocent Americans."

Three Phone Companies
The newspaper, citing anonymous sources with direct knowledge of the matter, said Houston-based AT&T Inc., Atlanta- based BellSouth Corp. and New York-based Verizon Communications Inc. turned over the records to the NSA, which compiled a massive database with the information. Only Qwest Communications International Inc. refused to give the government the data.

Herbert Stern, a New Jersey lawyer representing Joseph Nacchio, who was Qwest's chief executive officer when the government requested the records, issued a statement today saying the effort began after Congress in October 2001 passed the Patriot Act, which expanded law enforcement powers. Stern said Nacchio asked whether a warrant had been issued to back the NSA request for phone records.

"When he learned that no such authority had been granted and that there was a disinclination on the part of authorities to use any legal process," Stern said, "Nacchio concluded that these requests violated the privacy requirements of the Telecommunications Act."

Intelligence Committee
Nacchio left the company in June 2002 and now faces criminal charges of insider trading of $101 million of Qwest shares. He also is accused in a civil Securities and Exchange Commission suit of directing a $2.5 billion accounting fraud at the company.

News of the NSA program didn't sit well with several members of the Senate Intelligence Committee that will hold hearings on Hayden's nomination. Hayden ran the NSA from 1999 to 2005. Panel member Senator Chuck Hagel, a Nebraska Republican, met with Hayden today and said he supports the nomination. Still, the senator predicted Hayden will be grilled about NSA spying during his confirmation hearing. "He is going to have to explain what was his role to start with," Hagel said. "Did he put that program forward? Whose idea was it? Why as it started? He knows that he is not going to be confirmed without answering these questions."

Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, said she supports Hayden's confirmation though she said the government needs to be more forthcoming on the program's scope. "We need a CIA director in place," Collins said.

Security and Liberty
Outside Hagel's office, Hayden defended the NSA programs. "The only purpose of the agency's activities is to protect the security and the liberty of the American people," Hayden said. "Everything the agency has done is lawful."

At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing yesterday, Chairman Arlen Specter demanded that executives from the three phone companies testify before Congress about their agreement to turn over customer data. "I am determined to get to the bottom of this," said Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, who added that he will subpoena the telephone companies if they decline to appear before his committee voluntarily.
Hayden, nominated for the CIA post this week by Bush, was already facing scrutiny for his role in creating another surveillance program of wiretapping phone calls and e-mails between the U.S. and other countries without a court warrant when one of the parties is believed to be a terrorist.

'Concerned' About Program
In the House of Representatives, Majority Leader John Boehner said he is 'concerned' about the program disclosed yesterday "because I'm not sure why it would be necessary to keep and have that kind of information."

Boehner, a Republican from Ohio, said Hayden `"will have a lot more explaining to do." Some Republican senators defended the program described in the newspaper report. "They are not tapping our phones or getting our conversations," said Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama.

Spokesmen for Verizon, AT&T and BellSouth declined to comment, citing national security concerns, and said they follow the law. NSA spokesman Don Weber said the agency "operates within the law" and takes its legal responsibilities seriously.
USA Today said the records collected by the NSA identify the phone numbers people call but not their names, addresses, other personal information or the contents of calls.

The NSA used the records for a computer analysis that looks for patterns that could show terrorist plotting, the newspaper reported. The program looks at details like how long calls last, where they originate, when they take place and what number is called.

To contact the reporters on this story:
Robert Schmidt in Washington at rschmidt5@bloomberg.net;
James Rowley in Washington at jarowley@bloomberg.net.

Should the NSA look at your International Calling Card Phone Records?

2006-11-10T19:49:00.000-08:00

The National Security Agency has been collecting information on millions of domestic phone calls, according to a report this week in USA Today.

Source:
www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-10-nsa_x.htm

CNN.com asked readers whether they think it is appropriate for the government to monitor telephone records. Here is a selection of the responses, some of which have been edited:
If I had to choose between a one in ten thousand chance that I or someone I love might be killed by a terrorist in any given year or living in a police state, I'd take the former. The goal of terrorism is to make us live in fear and to destroy our way of life. If we become a nation of secret laws, pervasive surveillance, and midnight justice (Guantanamo and secret prisons, anybody?), then the terrorists have *won*, even if there is never another attack on US soil.
by: Loren Davidson, California

I believe it is the old saying that applies to this: "If you have nothing to hide, what is the problem?" I am a Democrat, but you will rarely find me any[where] but middle on the spectrum. If the NSA wants to collect data about calling patterns, without monitoring them, that is fine. And if they find that there is a particular household or geographic area that is placing calls to known terrorists or less than peaceful or stable countries, they should be able to monitor those calls, with the proper authority giving them that permission. I think this is a compromise to this intelligence impasse that will please both sides. Whether I like Bush or not (Which I DO NOT, he is the silliest man I have ever seen) we are at war, and it is nice to see that we are doing something to protect ourselves on the home front, rather than only sending troops to foreign sand pits on primitive lands.
by: Bryan, St. Petersburg, Florida

[Should the government monitor phone records?} Absolutely not. They should have to uphold the Constitution. Who is Bush to be above the law? He and the NSA should get a court order. There is no privacy with him in office. Shame on the Congress and Senate.
by: Peggy, Haworth, New Jersey

Large amount of resources to track and analyze a huge volume of calls, with a tiny minority of them used by terrorists. Besides privacy, resource usage, and agreed-upon patterns to be used issues, since this information is public, all terrorists have to do is use public phone boxes and telephone cards to ensure anonymity and bypass the database searches.
by: Richard Millham, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

I am not sure where to direct my outrage. Should it be at the NSA, the Bush Administration and my soon-to-be ex-phone company for spying on me without a warrant? Should it be Congress for claiming it might be legal and doing nothing to pass laws that would make it illegal? Or should it be my fellow Americans which, some polls say, don't care if they are spied upon?
by: Jeannine Meyers, Lebanon, Tennessee

More and more our intelligence services are taking on the characteristics of the former KGB. It is exceedingly difficult to understand what my calls to Home Depot, Spiegel, Macy's, and my doctor could possibly do to enhance our national security. Next it will be necessary to monitor our credit card purchases. Billions are being spent on new database technology -- for what? It's time we woke up and let our government know that they have to do more than play the terrorism card whenever they want to erode our way of life. No, the government should not monitor domestic telephone call records -- not unless they have a specific target, approved by our judicial branch.
by: Stephen Evans, Reno, Nevada

Unless your phone call is to a suspicious person, I wouldn't worry about being eavesdropped on. And if it a suspicious call at first, it is likely they will stop listening after awhile because I doubt the government cares to hear about your cousin's gastric bypass surgery.
by: Jason, Plant City, Florida

As well-intentioned as the the call records database and eavesdropping programs may be, they're taking us down a very dark path. It's these types of gradual encroachments that will inevitably smother the freedoms that are so fundamental to the American way of life. "Secrecy, being an instrument of conspiracy, ought never to be the system of a regular government." -Jeremy Bentham, jurist and philosopher (1748-1832)
by: Jared Pace, Durham, North Carolina

NO!!! I do not think the government should monitor domestic telephone call records!!! This country has always held dear the tradition that our personal lives should be free of Governmental intrusion absent probable cause to intrude. If we step back and take a look, our right to privacy has been pirated away bit by bit over the last several years under the guise of 9-11. Our government must find ways to conduct our intelligence without using it as an excuse to intrude in to the private lives of it's citizens. Personally, I believe that if we knew the full story, we would find that much more than "benign" compiling of phone numbers is and has been going on. Do I trust the Bush administration? NO!!! Do I trust my government in general? NOT ANY MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!Penny Hoffman, Omak, Washington
From my understanding, what's being archived is basically "who called who" and not the contents of the conversation (e.g., tapping of the phone lines). Putting such archiving in the context of the post 9/11 U.S.A., it seems logical to do such a thing. However, I doubt that's the real cause for all the ruckus. What's really going on here is anti-Bush citizens and those naive souls unwilling/unable to critically approach these activities jumping on a bandwagon of popular rhetoric. Grow up, people.
by: Chionesu George, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina

Would you believe a thief who robs you and tells you it's for your own good???
by: Mark Roberts, Birmingham, Alabama

Everybody has the right to have a secret even if it is as a stupid as a cooking recipe.
by: Alex, Atlanta, Georgia

I highly value my privacy; however, to protect the security and safety of the people of the U.S. and their interests, it does not at all bother me that NSA monitors my phone records. This is, I believe, a legitimate invasion of my privacy. I think it is a travesty that this information has been leaked to the press. The fact that NSA is doing this does not need to be public knowledge.
by: Matt Rodatus, Frederick, Maryland

The issue is not whether or not the government should monitor domestic telephone call records. The issue is whether or not the Executive branch should be able to do this without oversight. One of the major elements of the Constitution is the system of checks and balances. To say the Executive branch can do whatever it deems necessary, in secrecy and without oversight by the other two branches of government, seems a mockery of not only the words, but also the spirit of the Constitution. The Framers were well aware of consequences of an unchecked and unquestioned executive (another George, in fact, King George III). We, apparently, have forgotten.
by: K. Kono, Boston, Massachusetts

Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/05/12/feedback.phone.records/index.html

Its Your International Phone Card Call: Should the NSA look at your International Calling Card Phone Records?

Hospital Phone Cards Save Patients on exploited hospital phone card call costs.

2006-10-27T20:09:00.000-07:00

Patients are being 'exploited' by the sky-high charges of hospital phone systems, a survey has revealed today. Nine out of ten patients and visitors think hospital phone calls are too pricey. Where the phone system is run by a private company, it can cost up to 49p a minute to call a relative in hospital.

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Forums talked to 1,255 people at 76 hospitals for their views on hospital phone charges. Derek Easton from East Kent Hospitals PPI Forum said: "Whilst many of the patients we spoke to welcome the convenience of the system, this was countered by a very strong belief that the charges were exorbitant.
'Those we surveyed also believed that the patient is being penalised, exploited at a hugely vulnerable time in their lives. We also noted that while evidence has shown that mobile phones do not cause problems with medical equipment, hospital trusts often prohibit their use giving the patient no choice but to use the expensive bedside systems."

Ofcom investigation
One of the people surveyed by a PPI Forum had spent GBP 270 calling her husband while he was in hospital for five weeks recovery from a heart bypass. Another patient said they had spent over GBP 100 using the bedside telephone system but had received few calls during their four week stay because friends were put off by the cost of calling.

The findings will be sent to the Department of Health which is also looking at hospital call charges following an investigation by the communications watchdog Ofcom. Health Campaigns Team Leader Sara Apps said: "We're looking forward to the outcome of the Department of Health's review. The growth in charges for hotel facilities and non-clinical services, including telephone calls, is worrying. While the costs of providing such services should not be met from NHS funds, they should not be used as a source of income generation."

PPI Forums are independent statutory bodies, set up by the government to provide a voice for patients and local communities in all health decisions and services.
There is one PPI Forum per NHS Trust and all PPI Forum members are volunteers who are working to improve local health services for their communities. However, the Department of Health is reviewing PPI Forums and a decision on their future is due this month.

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2006-10-10T14:36:00.000-07:00

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AT&T Donates Prepaid Phone Cards to U.S. Military Overseas

2006-09-03T12:22:00.000-07:00

AT&T Inc. and United Service Organizations (USO) worked together again to distribute an additional 10,000 free prepaid phone cards to U.S. military members overseas. This will be the second batch - out of more than 30,000 prepaid phone cards allocated by AT&T. The first batch was distributed in 2006.

With these prepaid phone cards, military members in Asia, Europe and the Middle East will receive 20 minutes of free talk time from Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan, back to the United States. These prepaid phone cards will be handed out by USO to troops at Landsthul Regional Medical Center in Germany and through USO distribution centers in Kuwait, Afghanistan, South Korea and Japan.

Since 2000, AT&T has donated more than $6 million worth of free prepaid calling cards to military members and more than $2 million to projects supporting them, according to a release.
San Antonio, Texas-based AT&T Inc. merged with SB Communications Inc. in mid-November 2005, making AT&T Inc. the largest telecommunications company in the country and one of the largest worldwide.

Source: St. Louis Business Journal

Phone Cards Bring Lotto Confusion

2006-08-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

This might have been a nice concept to sell 2-min phone cards that could win your prizes. But why would you want a 2-min phone card? You most be wanting the real prize of a lotto phone card. I'd say to stick to the state lotto and help the schools then to fall for any phone card prizes and lotto calling cards.

Phone Cards Bring Lotto Confusion

By Gerrick Brenner
(05/05/06 -- RALEIGH) - A lottery game is stirring up plenty of confusion around the Triangle.

Some people are buying the tickets, thinking they are tied to the new state lottery, but they later find out that is not the case.

The phone cards are not fakes, and you can win thousands of dollars with them. They were in North Carolina stores long before the state lottery started.

But there is a bitter rivalry between the lotto phone cards and the state lottery. For a second time, they are heading to court.

Each lotto phone card is worth two minutes of telephone time, and there is a contest incentive. People can buy them and win cash -- sometimes thousands of dollars. But the proceeds do not go to North Carolina schools.

Officials tried to run the phone cards out of North Carolina two years ago, but the maker of the cards, Treasure Arts of South Carolina, sued and won. The loophole: The cards are free, if you mail a request.

The maker of the Free Money lotto cards says the state is cheating, telling stores that his cards are illegal when they are not. The owner of the company, who identified himself as William, says the lottery "got me down to $700 profit. I'm a little phone card company, and they just about put me out of business."

A Wake County judge ruled about two years ago that the phone cards were legal. One phone card company sued the state Friday, saying lottery sales staff and the lottery's Web site are telling convenience stores falsely that phone cards are illegal.

Source:
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section-local&id=4147025