Estimating the actual cost
of a personal call using prepaid Crew Calling Cards is not
easy, especially when hidden charges exist. Most LESOs charge
for connection costs or start-up fees, increasing the real
cost of calls significantly. Stratos charges for talking time
only.
In the table below you can see the difference in real cost
between scratch cards charging start-up fee/connection fee
and the Stratos crew calling cards.
We compare Stratos' scratch cards and scratch cards offered
by other LESs at the rate of USD 0.99/min during crew hours.
Talking
Time
Scratch
Cards with connection fee 10 units per minute during crew hours connection
fee: 6 units/call
(= 36sec)
Stratos
Scratch Cards without connection fee 6 units per minute during crew hours no connection/start
up fee
Offered
Rate
Chargeable
Time
Real
Cost
Offered
Rate
Chargeable
Time
Real
Cost
60 sec
0.99 $/min
96 sec
1.58
$/min
0.99 $/min
60 sec
0.99
$/min
200 sec
0.99 $/min
236 sec
1.17
$/min
0.99 $/min
200 sec
0.99
$/min
300 sec
0.99 $/min
336 sec
1.11
$/min
0.99 $/min
300 sec
0.99
$/min
Information is accurate at the time of
issue
Important
Note
The average crew call duration
is appx. 200 seconds.
Conclusion
It is therefore proven that
in order to compare the cost of Stratos' scratch cards to another
LESO's scratch cards, the differential rate is appx. 15%. This
may vary a little but it is true and correct as a general rule
of thumb.
Real
Cost of scratch cards charging connection fee ? Nominal Rate
(as offered) + 15%
Real
Cost of Stratos scratch cards ? Nominal Rate (as offered)
Other
Stratos Crew Calling Cards Characteristics
•
No zones, global rates: Some LESs charge the crew calling
airtime on a per band basis. Therefore, the cost of calling
to several important countries is increased.
• Only the connection time
is charged: The charge begins when the other party responds
to the call. No charge for ringing time or time spent for unsuccessful
calls.
• Expiry date: 12 months
after the first call is placed. Other LESs offer Crew Calling
Cards with a standard expiry date, regardless of the use.
• Virtual Crew Calling Cards
are also available (crew calling PINs are sent by e-mail or
fax)
• Delivery terms: 1 working
day from order confirmation
