The Irish Phone Card Market

Prepaid phone cards can offer considerably lower international call rates than traditional phone services or mobile phone operators. Additionally many prepaid phone cards offer rates that remain constant no matter what time or day the call is placed

A prepaid phone card or calling card is exactly what the name implies. Consumers pay a fixed amount up front, and when they make a call, the total cost of the call is accumulated and the remaining value on the card is reduced by the cost of the call

Traditionally, consumers used phone cards when away from their home or office, but they are now being used extensively for residential calls. Phone cards can be considerably cheaper than residential operators, coin operated payphones and mobile phones. Typically, a call card user will pick up a phone anywhere and dial an access number (usually freephone). The phone card user is than prompted for a PIN before dialling the number they require. Prepaid phone cards are used until the value of the card is reached, they are then discarded and a new one is purchased.

Who buys prepaid phone cards?

There are many reasons but here are a few:

· They are often cheaper than traditional service providers, particularly for international calls.
· Consumers can budget long distance calling costs.
· Tourists can by-pass expensive hotel systems with the resultant savings.
· They are cheaper than coin calls.
· They are cheaper than collect calls and operator assisted calls.

Prices vary across the board depending on whether you are using the cards peak/off peak or from a landline, mobile or payphone.

If you use the freephone access no. you will also incur a surcharge, which is generally 6c a min.

Payphone and mobile surcharges vary on an ongoing basis, so you are advised to contact whichever call card company you are using to get receive an up to date rate.

There are currently 10 main call cards in the Irish market at the moment.

	For people who only use their mobile phone, this card is a good option
	This is one of the most aggressively priced calling card on the Irish Market
	Century 2000 prepaid international calling card offers savings of up to 90% on your international calls. Century 2000 offers transparent, easy to understand pricing and a consistently high call connection quality. Century 2000 rates apply 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Century 2000 is available in three denominations, €7, €15 and €25 cards.
	Global Caller prepaid international phone card offers savings of over 90% on international phone calls. With rates as low as 2c per minute new customers are discovering the great savings to be made each day. Global Caller is easy to use and offers full customer support. Global Caller is a guaranteed Irish phone card and is available in popular €5, €10 & €20 denominations. For further information call now 1890 927 001 (lo-call).
	The Century World card can be used from over 15 countries throughout Europe, America and Australia. This card is sold in Ports, Airports and Hotels to customers who wish to avoid the high cost of roaming charges when on holiday or traveling on business
	The Pulse card is targeted at European and American visitors and tourists. Pulse offers users free call credit with the highest denomination card
	The First National phone card gives you unbeatable call rates to hundreds of destinations worldwide. You can use your First National phone card to make great value international phone calls from any touch tone phone - and because it's prepaid, you won't receive any bills! Available in denominations €5, €10 & €20, First National offers card users the same great rates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. First National recognises that customer queries aren't limited to standard office hours and provides a Customer Care service all day, every day. So if you want to call anywhere in the world economically and reliably you need a First National phone card
	Eircom global is eircom's prepaid international calling card. It is a dual purpose card that can be used from Ireland to make local, mobile and international calls and it can also be used to make calls back to Ireland from over 20 foreign countries. The eircom global calling card is available in three denominations €7, €10 and €15
	Swiftcall's Mr. Swifty and so.lo phone cards are the ideal way to make international calls and the cheapest way to keep in touch with friends and family abroad. All phone cards can be used on any touch tone phone and come in a variety of denominations - €7, €15 and €30 In addition, there is a Customer Care helpline with most major languages to assist with any queries you may have: 01 2057999 Most suitable for frequent, short duration calls- Particularly good rates to the U.K., Western Europe, the U.S. and Asia Good all-round value UK, USA, Canada, Germany, France, Australia, Italy
	eircom callcards offer great savings on local, national, International & 11811 (directory enquiries) calls eircom callcards can be used in over 6000 eircom payphones in the Republic of Ireland to make calls without using cash Available in €15, €7 & €4 demoninations & there are savings on any card you buy! Save 40% on €15 card Save 30% on €7 card Save 20% on €4 card

Irish Telecoms.com