Alexander Graham Bell Introduces Pacific Bell Prepaid Phone Card

Business Wire, Nov 1, 1995

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 1995--Pacific Bell has turned to Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, to launch the company's prepaid phone card statewide. Bell's image graces a $50 commemorative limited edition card designed in honor of the occasion.

"Only 10,000 of the individually numbered Alexander Graham Bell $50 Prepaid Phone Cards are being produced, so they are expected to be in great demand among card collectors," said Derek Hibbard, product manager.

The prepaid card is also available in other designs, in $5, $10 and $20 denominations.

"I think Alexander Graham Bell would be pretty happy to have his mug shot on the Pacific Bell phone card," said Bell's great-great-grandson, James Grosvenor Watson of Gloucester, Massachusetts. "I'm quite sure he would have used them, if they'd been around in his time. Bell wasn't a traditionalist. I think if he could just whip out his phone card and make phone calls, and not worry about getting a bill later, I think it would really appeal to him."

The Pacific Bell Prepaid Phone Card works from any touch-tone telephone, anytime, to virtually anywhere in the world. The amount of each call is automatically deducted from the total value of the card. Because the cards are prepaid, liability is limited to the value remaining on the card if it is lost or stolen. The prepaid card can be a cost-effective tool for college students, roommates, military personnel, truck drivers, recent immigrants, tourists, and customers who want more control over their phone bills.

It can give parents the security of knowing that their children can call them from anywhere, anytime. It also makes a unique and practical gift.

Pacific Bell will roll out an ongoing series of new card designs, beginning with a series of three new holiday designs later this month.

How it works:

-- Customers dial an 800 number to reach the network, then dial in their card number.

-- When customers dial in their card number, a recorded message (that only the calling party will hear) will tell them the value left on the card.

-- After customers have dialed the desired telephone number, the message will tell them how many minutes they can talk to that location before the card runs out.

-- A message will indicate when there is one minute of talk time left on the card.

-- Customers who wish assistance with their card can signal for a live operator, either English- or Spanish-speaking.

-- The prepaid phone card will have instructions in both English and Spanish on the back.

Pacific Bell has been testing its prepaid phone card in Los Angeles and Orange County since October, 1994. Customers have said that Pacific Bell's long history of reliable, high-quality service in California made them more likely to purchase and depend on a Pacific Bell prepaid phone card, versus a Brand X prepaid card.

The Pacific Bell Prepaid Phone Card is available from Pacific Bell payment locations, selected retail outlets, including participating Chevron stations, Pic N Save and Save Mart stores, Raley's and Petrini's supermarkets (as of the end of November), Marine World Africa USA, and soon-to-be-announced vending machine locations. In addition, customers interested in ordering any of the Pacific Bell Prepaid Phone Cards by phone may call 1-800-600-0094.

Pacific Bell is a subsidiary of Pacific Telesis Group, a diversified telecommunications corporation based in San Francisco.

CONTACT: Pacific Bell

Dane Pascoe, 415/542-3790