The three biggest headlines for this issue was the 1st anniversary of IPC (Which is currently not active - This was an organization formed in response to the US Telecard Association (Later named International Telecard Association) not recognizing collectors in their membership. More than two years later, IPC has fallen by the wayside, and the ITA still doesnt do much for collectors.
The second story is a review by dealer Lenny Rapp of the Orlando Telecard East Show. The third story is about problems that Destiny Telecomm. This organization eventually did fold, leaving many people who had hopes of making a lot of money with useless phonecards.
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To ease the hardships imposed on the military personnel and their families, IDT is offering a KosoKard promotion of a 25% discount on all Debitalk KosoKards sold, which is approximately a 50-75% savings off local phone company rates.
Debitalk is a pre-paid callback phone card allowing people around the world to bypass the high costs of placing international calls from countries outside of the U.S. Debitalk gives callers the ability to make the international call as if he/she was calling from the U.S.; thus the lower rates apply.
``IDT recognizes the hardships caused by wartime efforts and is proud to be able to offer those stationed abroad with an economical way of keeping in touch with their families and loved ones back home,'' said Ami Reschke, Director of International Business Development for IDT Debitalk. ``That is why IDT Debitalk is proud to contribute with a 25% discount on each KosoKard account which is purchased on behalf of military personnel.''
KosoKards may be purchased in $50, $100, $250, $500 or $1,000 pre-paid increments. Like Debitalk, each KosoKard must be programmed to a touch tone phone with a pre-determined callback number.
Those currently stationed in the Kosovo region who would like to benefit from IDT's KosoKard promotion can visit www.debitalk.com and click on the KosoKard sign-up link or call 1-888-999-2226 or 201-928-2977 to sign up for a Debitalk account by phone.
AirTouch said today it has cut prices for prepaid service across all its cellular markets in 17 states, including Minnesota, to as little as $0.35 a minute -- the lowest of any major wireless carrier in the nation. To make the product more accessible than ever to customers, the company also announced distribution agreements with 7 Eleven, Circle K, Radio Shack and Best Buy stores, as well as hundreds of other convenience stores and gas stations. The service is available in Minnesota through AirTouch Cellular retail stores and participating AirTouch distribution channels such as Total Convenience Stores, Snyder Drug Stores and Radio Shack.
Prepaid service is ideal for people who have felt uncomfortable with monthly service obligations and those with credit problems. It also appeals to budget-minded customers, such as parents who want to purchase wireless service for their kids and to students and small business owners, who also want to control their spending.
``AirTouch is giving affordable and convenient service choices to people who have never enjoyed the benefits of wireless communications,'' said LeAnn Talbot, vice president and general manager for AirTouch in the Midwest. ``The option to pay in advance appeals to a broad range of customers who want to control their costs, forgo monthly fees or get service without credit.''
AirTouch customers now can buy a broader ranger of prepaid service cards in denominations of $30, $50 and $100. With prepaid service, users pay no monthly subscription charges. The life of the cards also has been extended from 60 days to 90 days to fit diverse individual needs.
First-time cellular users can buy an AirTouch Prepaid Package for a suggested retail price of $80, which includes everything they need to ``cut the cord'' and enjoy the freedom of wireless communications. The package includes an Audiovox phone and an AirTouch Prepaid card good for 30 minutes of talk time. (Customers who already have phones can purchase a $30 starter kit with 60 minutes of talk time and instructions for getting up and running.)
U.S. wireless providers still typically turn away a third or more of walk-in customers because they lack credit or are too young to sign a contract. Many analysts believe the U.S. prepaid market could be huge if carriers make the service affordable and convenient. Only about five percent of U.S. cellular customers use prepaid, compared to 35 percent in Europe. European carriers say that prepaid accounts for two-thirds of all new customers.
Industry analysts believe AirTouch's new approach to prepaid will find a large American audience. ``This is a good, aggressive plan to reach an underserved part of the market,'' said Ken Hyers, author of a recent study of the prepaid market for Cahners In-Stat Group in Newton, Mass. ``This is an easy option for people to get into wireless for the first time.''
Adam Zawel, a wireless analyst with the Yankee Group in Boston, said, ``This new offering opens the door for AirTouch to penetrate large segments of the untapped market for prepaid services.''
From: Gayle Geisenheimer
From: Antonette Holder
Until Next Time,
Alan
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