Try The Convenience Of Cingular Prepaid Phone Cards
Cingular prepaid phone cards fit a whole long distance calling plan on a card the size of a credit card. Cingular Wireless, formerly known as AT&T Mobility LLC, is the second largest mobile phone company in Puerto Rico and the largest in the U.S. The Cingular brand was formed from the acquisition and mergers of several large U.S. mobile phone carriers. Like any major phone company, Cingular prepaid phone cards are one of its many consumer friendly offerings.
Cingular prepaid phone cards contain a predetermined number of long distance minutes on each card. The number of minutes is clearly marked on each card’s label. The goal of these phone cards is to provide a limited amount of free long distance service, without a monthly commitment. You know that your monthly long distance bill contains tax after tax, and fee after fee. Cingular prepaid phone cards have none of those fees and taxes, although the per minute rates are likely to be higher.
Purchasing Cingular prepaid phone cards is easy. A wide selection can be found in nearly every department store, grocery, and sometimes gas station! Simply pick a card with the desired number of long distance minutes and purchase it. Note that the phone card will not work until it is scanned by the register, which deters thieves. It is unlikely that the laser scanner of the cash register somehow activates the magnetic strip on the card. Instead, there is some other activation mechanism at work. Perhaps the cash register reads the bar code of the Cingular prepaid phone cards and contacts a central database, which then flags the card as active. Regardless of how it happens, Cingular prepaid phone cards cannot be used to make calls until properly activated at purchase time.
The Cingular prepaid phone cards have both a magnetic strip on the back and embossed numbers on the front. If a pay phone with a magnetic card reader is available, the user simply has to swipe the phone card and follow the directions. If the phone does not have a card reader, the user dials the toll free number on the card, and follows the voice prompts to enter the numbers on the front of the card, as well as the number to be called. This latter method of using Cingular prepaid phone cards can become tedious if multiple calls are to be made, but it is preferable to having no long distance access at all.
Cingular prepaid phone cards are convenient and require only one initial purchase fee. Most such cards do not expire, or at least have very long shelf lives. They are easy to use, especially if the phone to use them on has a magnetic card reader. Otherwise, some extra dialing is required. Everyone should carry at least an hour’s worth of emergency long distance through Cingular prepaid phone cards.
If you are every stranded at a pay phone with no change, no cell phone, and no patience, Cingular prepaid phone cards can get you out of a tough situation.
