News and Views

HT Technologies / Grapevine Telecards Update

I've been talking with Jeff Waltcher of Grapevine Telecards, who was quite upset to see what I wrote a few weeks back in this newsletter. At the time, I had no idea who these people were, only that I received an unsolicited mailing from them. I also heard that they were accused of some bad things by HT Technologies. It appeared that my home address was taken from HT's database. I've recently learned that there was a security breach at my work, and my phone number and home address (Which is confidential information, and should never have been released) was released to Jeff. The problem is now solved at work, so this won't happen again, but I am going publicly on record stating that they did receive my address from work. I don't know a whole lot more about the entire situation, I'm sure the courts will settle this conflict. I'll report what I hear, if anything at all. I've offered Grapevine the opportunity to address the audience of this newsletter and explain the situation from their perspective. Perhaps more to come in the near future.

Premiere Telecard Magazine

After showcasing a few phonecard magazines in the past few weeks, I've received another request to promote a magazine - This one is Premiere Telecard Magazine. While I have not seen an issue (I am going to request a sample issue be sent so I can review it further), an annual subscription (6 issues) is $15. Anyone interested can reply to R M C, P. O. Box 7191, Gulfport, MS, 39506, or by e-mail to Peelers1@aol.com.

SVC

SVC's

Seems that SVC's (Stored Value Cards) have hit the hobby by force. If you have read any of the phonecard magazines, you know that by summer these will be widely used in the Atlanta area for the Olympics. This is a "Smart Card" - A computer chip is actually embedded in the card. They are sponsored by Visa, and can be used to purchase anything from a phone call to a hot dog. SVC's are popular in Europe, look for their popularity to spread to the US. One problem I see with the current set of SVC's is that they have an expiration date. If they are to work like cash, then the expiration date needs to go! Cash doesn't expire, at least not modern US currency. Check on-line at the Card Mall to view an SVC. Look for expanded coverage in magazines and price guides, including PCM Report. If these really catch on, this newsletter may need to be renamed SCOL, Smart- Cards On-Line.

Visa

Visa TravelMoney

A different yet very interesting variation to Smart Cards is Visa TravelMoney. Think of this as a prepaid ATM card. I see this replacing travelers checks in the very near future. You can purchase this card before you travel, and use it at any Visa compatible ATM machine (tens of thousands all over the world) No need to worry about having large amounts of cash stolen, or the hassle of travelers checks. Everything fits in your wallet, and the money is secure as you need a PIN to access it (Of course, don't leave your PIN in your wallet with the card. Look for the real thing to be released in the very near future. For now, Powell Associates is selling a limited edition sample run that has no cash value, but has the Olympic and Visa logos. You can reach Powell at vigdor@powellpm.com, or visit their web site at http://www.powellpm.com

The 3 Tenors World Tour 1996/1997

The first German silver phonecard (mintage: DEM 6) has been created by DeTeMedien and Muenz-Praegstatt Muenchen. Only 7500 copies of the precious metal card (sterling silver 925/000) have been issued. The theme of the card is the world tour of the three tenors, Carreras, Domingo and Pavarotti.

(Contribution from Andrea and Klaus Rusch)

Ulf's Commentary

Ulf Helmke recently traveled from Germany to the US and Canada and has this report:

American Express is now offering PhoneFunds (SM) phonecards in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. The domestic rates per minute are 56¢ on the $5 card, 50¢ on the $10, 44¢ on the $20, 40¢ on the $50 and 33¢ on the $100. Cards are rechargeable and my information doesn't say if the rate will always stay the same.

The cards are wrapped and have the value on a little paper card which is larger than the card itself. That way, there is no denomination on the cards obverse and the pictures are just beautiful!

The cards are available at Harris Banks in the Chicagoland area, maybe elsewhere, too. "To find out more, just call 1-800-297-4357.

I spent a weekend at Niagara Falls, Ontario, two weeks ago. Before I went, I was looking forward to using some Canadian chip cards and also brought along the $1 card I had received for free from Bell at last years CardEx 95.

Upon getting there I was positively surprised to see that almost all phonecards were set to accept cards. Our hotel had three of them in the lobby. As there were no cards available at our hotel's front-desk, I decided to use my $1 card to call home to Germany. Well, the phone wouldn't let me because of inadequate funds and after talking to an operator I found out that the card can only be used for local calls.

While I certainly appreciate free cards like this one (and a beautiful one it is, too!), I think the system isn't the best one in the world. $1 should give me a few seconds to Europe - I have used BT phonecards that had just one unit left on them (10p) to call overseas! Also, from what I understand, you cannot change phonecards during one call should the first one be used up.

Now, as I could only use my $1 card to order some pizza, I was looking for a "real" card which would allow me to call home. Nobody appeared to have them for sale! The only place I found somebody more knowledgeable was at the Visitor Information at the Table Rock building and the girl told me that they would no longer sell the cards. The next place that would have them - according to her - was a mall 15 minutes away (by car I suppose).

Frankly, I see no point in setting up all those new phones and then leaving the field to the competition by just not selling the cards! Thousands of tourists visit Niagara Falls every week and I haven't found a single place selling Bell Canada's phonecards. Bell Canada, this is NOT the way to go!

Alan's Comments

To a certain extent I agree with Ulf about the Bell situation. I spent last weekend in Ontario, so I am quite familiar with the situation. While it is easier to get a remote access card (A card where you dial an 800 number) than a chip card, I have to applaud Bell Canada for converting the phones so rapidly. Chip cards are available at Bell Phone Centre Stores (which is actually a 5 minute car drive from the tourist area) and vending machines. There was a vending machine for chip cards at the bottom of Clifton Hill. Many of the hotels and merchants sell phonecards, but almost none sell Bell cards. Since the phones are Bell's, it is conceivable that only they have the right to make cards for the phones. I do agree with Ulf that Bell has to do a better job of getting the cards to as many markets as possible.

Promotions

CAPEX '96

Canada's Stamp Details May/June issue gave some late-breaking Capex News. Capex '96, being the world philatelic exposition being held June 8-16 in Toronto.

In celebration of CAPEX '96 and Transportation, Canada Post has designed a whole fleet of exciting new products. Of special interest to Phone Card collectors, are the special Vehicle telephone cards. It is unclear whether these will be available at Capex and it gives no further details about the cards, except that they will be detailed in the summer issue of "Collections of Canada".

From: Kathy Ward

Sweet Success

Buy 1 canister of Nestle Sweet Success and 1 box of Nestle Sweet Success Snack Bars and receive a 10 minute phone card. See your local Sunday paper for order form.

From: Cathy Ashbaugh

Chex

Chex Cereals is putting 10 min. phonecards in specially marked boxes of Multi-Bran Chex Cereal. According to the box a 10 min. SmarTel phonecard is packed in every fifth box. OR, send a SASE to:

Multi-Bran Chex Cereal Phonecard Instant Win Game
PO Box 1090
Pacific Palisades, Ca. 90272

to be received before Oct. 31, 1996

I bought one box and got a phonecard. It is paper and has a picture of the front of the MB Chex box on it.

From: John Batt

More Sears?

A local newspaper insert has an advertisement for a free 20 min. phone card when you buy a pair of Tretorn shoes. The ad lists a 800 number (1-800-62-NYLITE) for a dealer near you. I was told that SEARS has the POP display.

From: David Mertens

Until Next week, Happy Collecting,

Alan

Distribution

Phonecards On-Line is written and distributed by Alan Cohen. It is a weekly newsletter devoted to phonecards - Current news, viewpoints, and reviews of new issues. It is distributed free of charge, and available two ways.

1) On-Line on the World Wide Web. The address is: http://www.cardmall.com

2) Direct e-mail. Send a message to: phoneline@cardmall.com

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