Who would use calling cards?

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grapefruitmoon

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When I was in NRT, I noticed there were a lot of booths that sells calling cards automatically, mostly from AU and Softbank. I mean, it's Japan - high technology, and literally everyone uses smartphones, so why they even need calling cards? Don't they have Voip apps on their phones? Even call landlines, normally I just use Global Call in my phone to call, then why they still keep something unnessary and obsolete?
 
There are quite a few countries that ban VOIP, and then there are the technology challenged that just prefer the dog and bone.
 
I know people who take phones like 10yr old away with them cause they don't want to lose their 'new' one - I know people who never trust ATM's inter and only take cash - vast community out there who never access AFF or it's likes.
 
You can Skype someone, but lots would also appreciate a personal visit.
Email is easy, but I still get a thrill out of a handwritten personal letter, even though I'm shocking at it myself.
I think that calling cards, for personal use are more outdated than that, but just because most of us can use a high tech method, where's the harm in using old fashioned, more gracious methods when we want?
I've never been to Japan, but my impression is they seem to be very polite and more formal than us.
Maybe it's a retro custom re-emerging?.
 
When I was in NRT, I noticed there were a lot of booths that sells calling cards automatically, mostly from AU and Softbank. I mean, it's Japan - high technology, and literally everyone uses smartphones, so why they even need calling cards? Don't they have Voip apps on their phones? Even call landlines, normally I just use Global Call in my phone to call, then why they still keep something unnessary and obsolete?

A lot cheaper than hiring a phone or SIM, and in the case of the latter, less risky. Got SIMs from BMobile in January, took over 2 Windows Phones (Lumia 920), a brand spanking new Sony, a Samsung Galaxy something, iPhone 5s and 4s. Only the 4s worked, and the Samsung partially worked. (In case you are wondering, my travelling partner works for Telstra).
 
Well, maybe you dont know, but lots of Japanese people still use dumb phone. Even when I had my first iphone 2, I bought calling cards to call my parents in India. And whatever VoiP you are using, is it cheaper and more stable than calling cards?
 
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I use a calling card occasionally, generally they are a free call or a local call at worst and the call quality I find is better than Skype

Also WiFi even at better hotels can be dodgy/drop out and/or they may be a cost for WiFi unless sitting in the lobby
 
When I was in NRT, I noticed there were a lot of booths that sells calling cards automatically, mostly from AU and Softbank. I mean, it's Japan - high technology, and literally everyone uses smartphones, so why they even need calling cards? Don't they have Voip apps on their phones? Even call landlines, normally I just use Global Call in my phone to call, then why they still keep something unnessary and obsolete ?

Japan is probably the most technologically backward developed country in the world. While everyone perceives them as high tech, most of the things you see are highly specialised robots form research labs or crazy overengineered tech such as toilet seats, which aren't actually that hard to develop.

They are the only country I know of which has internet sites that shut at night...
 
I have a work-supplied global calling card that I use when traveling - mostly for calling home or calling another country. My first choice for call to Australia is usually VoIP, but thag requires internet access and an SSL VPN connection, and if the network/connection is not good enough quality then the call either fails or is very poor, so then I resort to a land-line and my calling card. Having a free-call number in most countries just makes making calls easier.

But I don't purchase local calling cards when traveling.
 
Well, maybe you dont know, but lots of Japanese people still use dumb phone. Even when I had my first iphone 2, I bought calling cards to call my parents in India. And whatever VoiP you are using, is it cheaper and more stable than calling cards?

At least the app Global Call i'm using now has the cheapest rates, especially call to Asia. You can check the rate here: http://www.uglobalcall.com/wb/cmmn/UGLprice.uglobal
 
and generally, calling cards change your number when you dial, don't they? I got the same problem with Skype, that's why I switch to VoiP app and satisfied with my choice up until now.
 
agree temporarily. However, global call does have calling cards as well, fyi. they even have events for users in japan for buying prepaid cards.

anw, I think calling cards is not dead business yet. as long as there are countries which has no free wifi like japan - .-
 
agree temporarily. However, global call does have calling cards as well, fyi. they even have events for users in japan for buying prepaid cards.

anw, I think calling cards is not dead business yet. as long as there are countries which has no free wifi like japan - .-

I will go back to Japan last week of June, then I see this: http://globalcallevent.com/ it says you buy calling cards and even get free credits then pizza. no doubt calling cards are alive!
 
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