These days’ people seem to spend more time talking on the telephone. There are friends and family we want to talk to about what's going on in our lives and business associates with whom we want to discuss deals and projects. Prepaid calling cards offer a great way for us to call people from almost any telephone and from nearly anywhere in the world. Prepaid calling cards were introduced in the 1970's in Italy and are now widely used in most parts of the world.

Prepaid phone cards provide a low cost and simple way to dial long distance calls and are also very beneficial to have in case of an emergency. Prepaid phone cards do have advantages when compared to standard credit phone cards. For example, credit phone cards usually charge different rates at different times of the day or on different days of the week, while prepaid cards offer a set per minute rate. Note: There are prepaid cards that charge a higher rate for International long distance than for domestic long distance.

Using a prepaid calling card is really easy. You dial a toll free access number, punch in your PIN number, and then dial the number you want to call. With most cards you are informed of the available call time remaining on your card. Prepaid calling cards are also very convenient. Whenever you need to use a pay phone there's no need to look for change, just take out the prepaid calling card and you are set.

Prepaid calling cards also help you to budget your money and manage how much you spend on long distance calls. Prepaying your phone calls gives you more control over your spendings and allows you to avoid those monthly telephone bills.

You can buy prepaid phone cards at most any store or gas/convenience station, but your smartest choice would be the Internet. Online, you can compare different phone card offers and associated rates to make sure that you get the best deal for your money. The best card offer for you may vary depending upon your needs. Are most of your phone calls short or long? Do you call mostly domestic long distance or International long distance? Questions like these will help you to decide upon which prepaid phone card to buy.