Pre-paid/Post-Paid Calling Cards

These applications allow roaming access to call re-origination services and aid in the implementation of new pre-paid/post-paid calling card services (existing pre-paid/post-paid calling card programs may also be integrated with a CLN enabled callback service). Here the CLN interfaces with X.25, the Internet, Frame Relay or Private Lines for out of band delivery of signaling information and E1, T1 or ISDN to bridge the caller with the called party. With Arbinet’s CLN the need for costly international toll free numbers is eliminated as carriers may offer access to this service via low cost local toll-free access.

Pre-paid/Post-paid Calling Card Product Offering Options

Service providers may choose to offer one or any combination of the following card offerings with Arbinet’s CLN:

Call Sequence

With Arbinet’s CLN, service providers are offered a great deal of flexibility in creation of customer interfaces and call sequences. Voice (or sound) prompts, language of prompts and prompt sequence or scripting may be customized at the PIN level. CLN operators also have the option of utilizing Arbinet’s standard prompts. Arbinet’s standard call sequence is as follows:

  1. After dialing a local toll-free number to access a nearby CLN the customer hears the following prompt: “Please enter your account number” (PIN)

  2. The customer then enters their PIN number. This number is verified either locally (if the customer is using their home country or calling region’s CLN) or remotely via a packet or cell switched network (if the customer has been provisioned on a CLN other than the one they are currently using). Included in the verification process is the retrieval of PIN specific administration information (services to be made available to user, features to be made available, preferred language of prompts, prompt sequence, prompt scripting, operator services, speed dial presets, pricing tables). The PIN therefore enables & disables services.

  3. After the account has been verified the user hears the following:

    “Please enter the service code”

    The service code indicates which service the caller would like to use. Customers may choose from any existing service offered by the service provider and the customer’s choice may be limmited to only those services the service provider wishes to allow access. In this case the customer would enter the appropriate service code for international calling and subsequently hears:

    “Please enter the number you wish to dial”

  4. At this point the customer enters the number they are calling and is quickly connected to the called party.

 

Option I. Pre-paid/Post-paid Calling Cards without Remote Verification

In this application, customers have the ability to use pre-paid/post-paid cards with a specific CLN installed in their “home” country or calling region. This CLN is accessible via a local toll free number. When traveling outside of their ‘home” country, the customer may still access their “home” CLN via an international toll free number.

 

Option II. Pre-paid/Post Paid Calling Cards with Remote Verification

Service providers may offer global roaming access with remote account verification to Calling/Debit card services by connecting CLNs internationally over any packet switched network (the Internet, X.25, Frame Relay and soon the cell switched ATM network). This allows customers to use the same debit/calling card on CLNs outside of their home country and enables the service provider to “follow” their customers worldwide.

  1. Inbound Calls via a Local Toll-Free #
  2. Account Verification Request
  3. Account Verification
  4. Callback Request Based on Destination Called and LCR Decision
  5. Bridging Callback and Destination Call (Destination call may be local depending on location of re-origination CLN).