How to Make Phone Calls with the Aid of Calling Cards
The 10th of March, 1876, is an important date in the history of communication because it was on that day that the first telephone was invented and used by Alexander Graham Bell for the purpose of communication. However, since this device was impractical and suitable only for short distances it was improved upon and the primitive forefather of the modern telephone was designed and used for the first time on August 10th, 1876, over a distance of ten miles. Thus was born the telephone which not only revolutionized the method of communication but also laid the foundation of the ultimate unification of the world as a global village. Over a period of time the telephone not only grew in importance but also in technology and is now so indispensable that a single day without a telephone is simply unimaginable. There are various ways to make phone calls and the advent of the new millennium has brought with it the culture of using calling cards in order to make calls. A calling card is a small rectangular card which looks like a credit card but is used for making phone calls. There are two main types of calling cards namely prepaid and memory and the style of functioning of both differs slightly although the basic purpose remains the same. One can use a calling card to make phone calls by following the instructions in the order in which they are listed:- A calling card can be bought at any outlet which claims to be selling them and each card comes with a stipulated time period like 50 minutes, 100 minutes, 200 minutes and so on which indicates the time for which the user can talk on the phone. - After having purchased the card it is activated from the outlet itself so as to make it usable and this acts as a precaution as well in the sense that a stolen card cannot be used until and unless it is activated. - On the back side of the card there is a pin which is covered with a coating. This coating is scratched and the pin number which is revealed is used to make long distance calls. - The first thing to do while making a call is to dial the code given on the card which would bring the operator on the line who then gives you instructions in the language of your choice. The automated message asks the caller to punch in the pin number and informs him about the balance talk time remaining in the card. - Eventually the message prompts the caller to punch in the telephone number and provides connectivity over long distances. - Every calling card has a system of warning the caller when only the last ten minutes of the talking time remain. The warning comes in form of a series of beeps after which the call automatically disconnects.There are a few important points which one should remember while using a calling card. As a precaution the receipt of the calling card should never be thrown away till the card is in use because if there is a problem with the activation then the card can be returned to the store to be replaced by another one. The other important point to remember is that if a caller uses a card at a pay phone then he stands to lose twenty minutes of his talk time. Lastly, calling cards are disposable in the sense that as soon as the talk time on one card is over it can be discarded and a new one bought and used by following the same procedure.
