Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1992 15:48:07 GMT
From: Boris Pevzner <pevzner@athena.mit.edu>
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Any Free Calling Cards Left?
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 901, Message 4 of 5

Re: AmeriVox card

I contacted {kirk@tigercat.den.mmc.com (Kirk Blackburn)} directly, and
below is the reply that I received.


Boris Pevzner     pevzner@mit.edu


 From: kirk@tigercat.den.mmc.com (Kirk Blackburn)

Hi, Boris:

I can answer most of the questions here. Please feel free to share
them with comp.dcom.telecom. BTW, I haven't read comp.dcom.telecom.
What is the focus of the forum?

> Someone posted your rec.travel.marketplace message to comp.dcom.telecom.
> Comp.dcom.telecom's moderator is wondering:

> [Moderator's Note: I wish Mr. Blackburn had told us *how* to use the
> cards for calling.  Does one dial 10 (something) plus zero plus and

Card use: Dial 1 800 xxx-xxxx a 9 digit PIN, area code and number.
Each card comes in a sealed envolope with its own pin. Dialing
instructions and 800 number are on back of card.

> send the call over World Telecom/Phone Club circuits?  
  
Calls are routed over the same fiber optic long lines as other
carriers.
  
> are they leasing their circuits from one of the Big Three or do they
> actually have their own network?
 
I believe they are leasing from Sprint. 

> they issue a little plastic card like the other carriers with a number
> and a pin?  

Yes. The card is smaller and quit thin. Can be personalized with
custom logo for an organization. Multiple PINs can be assigned under a
master account so that *all* usage on all cards apply to total volume.
AmeriVox has a volume discount that lowers the cost/minute that will
eventually reach $.149 per minute, forever.

> Is the procedure that when you make a call on their network 
> that your credit balance with the company is decremented by whatever
> the call cost?

Yes, sort of. World Telecom has proprietary hardware/sofware
technology that allows the dollar amount remaining on the card to be
debitted in *real-time.  It is similar to the debit cards in Europe
and Japan, however special phone equipment is not required. The card
works immediately at any touch tone phone in the US (except Alaska :().
More time can be re-ordered at any time.

A cool feature:

A voice interdicts telling user about re-ordering when $10.00 remains
on card. Only the card holder hears voice. Prompt also interdicts when
$1.00 remains. If card does expire, the PIN is good for 90 days and
time can be re-ordered during this time.

> I am curious also why payments are made payable to Mr. Blackburn
> instead of the company.
  
AmeriVox has a direct sales organization. As a representative of
AmeriVox, I buy cards directly from the company and sell them at their
face value ($10, $20, $50, $100, $250, $500). Currently, I receive 4%
commission on all direct sales. This percentage goes up to 6% and then
8% depending on my sales volume. Marketing in this fashion greatly
reduces administrative, marketing, and advertising costs. It is why no
surcharge (i.e. extra profit) is needed as with the other cards.
Payment up front also reduces bad account collection fees, etc. It
also allows World Telecom Group to remain a debt-free company.
 
I hope this clears up some of the confusion I seem to have created.  I
will be happy to address other question should they arise.


Regards,

kirk


[Moderator's Note: Thanks very much for passing along the reply. This
sounds like a very good way to acheive anonymous long distance calling
as has been discussed here on a few occassions.   PAT]