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   FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here you will find asnwers to some commonly asked questions about Brastel service.
  Questions
 
1 What is Brastel Smart Phonecard?
2 Why "Two in One"?
 
 
3  How do I use BRASTEL Smart Phonecard?
4  What types of calls can I make with BRASTEL Smart Phonecard?
5  Can I use Brastel Smart Phonecard from any phone?
6  How do I use the 10-10-310 service?
7  How do I use the 800 service?
8  What is the difference between the 10-10-310 prefix and the 800 number?
9  What should I do if I have difficulties using the 10-10-310 service?
10  When should I use the 10-10-310 service and when should I use the 800 number?
11 What should I do if I have difficulties using the 800 service?
12  Can I use my mobile phone from other country to make calls through Brastel?
13  Do I have to get another card when my balance is finished?
14  Can I recharge my BRASTEL Smart Phonecard?
15  Can I make the dialing process easier?
16  What is Speed Dial? How does it work?
17  Can I place calls in sequence without hanging up the phone?
18  How can I use the advertised FIVE FREE MINUTES for the 10-10-310 service?
19  How can I use the advertised FIVE FREE MINUTES for the 800 service?
20  How can I know my card's balance?
21  Can I check my call history?
22  Do I need to register my card?
23  Does my card have an expiration date?
24  Can I change my PIN?
25  How can I change my mailing
 
 
26  Are rates higher on weekends or during weekends?
27  What is the rate to my country?
28  Are the rates for the 10-10-310 service the same as the rates for the 800 service?
29  What is the minimum call charge?
30  How much does it cost to use the 10-10-310 access and the 800 access?
31  How am I billed for calls when using BRASTEL Smart Phonecard?
32  Are there any other fees or hidden charges?
33  Is there an additional charge if I use the 800 service from a payphone?
 
 
34  Do I have to pay registration or maintenance fees?
35  Am I going to receive bills at home?
36  How do I recharge my card (account)?
37  How long do I have to wait to use Brastel service after I pay?
38  Can I change the amount to AUTO RECHARGE my card (account)?
39  How secure is to make payments online to Brastel?
40  Can I transfer funds from my BRASTEL Smart Phonecard to another BRASTEL Smart Phonecard?



Answers


[1] What is Brastel Smart Phonecard?
Brastel Smart Phonecard is a "Two in One" rechargeable card for international and domestic long distance calls made from anywhere in the U.S. and Canada to over 240 destinations worldwide, with 24/7 flat rates. It can be recharged instantly any time. It saves user preferences to make dialing as easy as it can get, and expires three years after last use.
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[2] Why "Two in One"?
Because there are TWO different types of access available for your calling needs in ONE single card :
- 10-10-310 access: designed for calls originated within California, Florida and New York from residential phones. In some cases, it might be used from business phones.
- 800 access: designed for your use when calling from anywhere in the U.S. - including California, Florida and New York – and Canada from residential and business phones, from payphones and mobiles.
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[3] How do I use BRASTEL Smart Phonecard?
It's very simple. Just call Brastel Customer Service to add funds to your account and start using it.
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[4] What types of calls can I make with my BRASTEL Smart Phonecard?
You can make international and domestic long-distance calls anywhere in the U.S. and Canada, anytime with flat low rates.
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[5] Can I use Brastel Smart Phonecard from any phone?
You can use Brastel International Calling Service from any phone with TONE dialing mode.
Nevertheless, there are
differences between the use of the 10-10-310 Service and the 800 Service.

We DO NOT recommend the use from cellular phones from other countries in international roaming in the U.S. due to the high cost of roaming charged by the original cell phone company.
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[6] How do I use the 10-10-310 service?
At this time, the 10-10-310 access is only available to calls originated in CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA and NEW YORK.

To place calls WITHIN the U.S. or to Canada or the Caribbean, dial:

 

To place INTERNATIONAL calls:

 
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[7] How do I use the 800 service?

This service can be used anywhere within the U.S.


For international calls, dial:

 
 
 

• For U.S. calls, dial:

   
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[8] What is the difference between the 10-10-310 prefix and the 800 number?
The 10-10-310 prefix is a one-step dialing to be used from your home phone for calls originated in California, Florida and New York while the 800 number is to be used from anywhere in the U.S. from any touch-tone phone including payphones and mobiles. Charges will be debited from your account in both cases.

We DO NOT recommend the use from mobile phones from other countries in international roaming in the U.S. due to the high cost of roaming charged by the original mobile phone company.
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[9] What should I do if I have difficulties using the 10-10-310 service?
Please be advised that the 10-10-310 access is designed to be used from residential phones or, in some cases, from business phones located within California, Florida and New York. Calls made from payphones or mobiles will not be completed as well.
Also, be aware that calls made via 10-10-310 to such prefixes as 800, 888, 866, 877 or 456, 500, 900 will not be completed.
If you have difficulties dialing for any reason, please contact our Customer Service at 1-888-TO- BRASTEL.
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[10] When should I use the 10-10-310 service and when should I use the 800 number?
We recommend that you use Brastel's 10-10-310 from your home phone, if you live in California, Florida or New York; if you live in a dormitory where lines are connected to a phone system, and you can't use the 10-10-310 prefix, please call our Customer Service for advice.
Use the 800 number to place calls from any phone including your mobile* phone and payphones anywhere in the U.S.

We DO NOT recommend the use from mobile phones from other countries in international roaming in the U.S. due to the high cost of roaming charged by the original mobile phone company.
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[11] What should I do if I have difficulties using the 800 service?
The 800 access is designed to work from any touch-tone phone including payphones and mobiles within the U.S. and Canada.
If you have difficulties dialing for any reason, please contact Customer Service at: 1-888-TO-BRASTEL.

We DO NOT recommend the use from mobile phones from other countries in international roaming due to the high cost of roaming charged by the original mobile phone company.
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[12] Can I use my mobile phone from other country to make calls through Brastel?
We strongly recommend that you DO NOT use your mobile phone from other country due to the very high cost of international roaming usually charged by your original mobile phone company.
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[13] Do I have to get another card when my balance is finished?
No. All you need to do is to recharge it. There are many advantages in recharging it. For example: you can use your balance up to the last cent; when you buy a non-rechargeable card you are more likely to waste money because it is not always that you use it up to the last cent. When you throw that card away, you are throwing out your won money. With Brastel there is no money wasted, we value your money. You will see how convenient and economic it will be when you get used to recharging your account.
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[14] Can I recharge my BRASTEL Smart Phonecard?
Yes. There are three ways to recharge your Brastel Smart Phonecard (account):

1 - Online (login here)
2 - Call Customer Service at: 1-888-TO-BRASTEL (1-888-862-7278)
3 - Set up AUTO RECHARGE. This service will automatically recharge your account according to your choices.
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[15] Can I make the dialing process easier?
In some cases, yes. For example, when you register your mobile number and use our 800 service to place a call from that registered number, you will not be requested to select the language or even to enter your access code. You can further shorten your dialing by registering "Speed Dial" numbers.
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[16] What is Speed Dial? How does it work?
Speed Dial is designed to be used when calling through our 800 service. It allows you to register up to 99 destination numbers and shorten their dialing to only one or two digits. Speed Dial will save you time and will prevent you from dialing wrong numbers. You may register or change Speed Dial numbers online (login here)  or by calling our Customer Service.
Example: register the destination number 1-310-123-4567 in your Speed Dial number 1, and place your calls to that number by dialing just 1# when prompted.
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[17] Can I place calls in sequence without hanging up the phone?
Only when you use our 800 service. Just press the pound key three times (# # #) and a voice prompt will ask you to enter the "Speed Dial" number or the complete destination number. At this point you can also press the star key (*) followed by pound (#) if you wish to redial the last number.
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[18] How can I use the advertised FIVE FREE MINUTES for the 10-10-310 service?
Just place a call to any destination from your landline phone using Brastel 10-10-310, and you will automatically receive the advertised FIVE MINUTES FREE. 5 free minutes are given once per line when you use Brastel 10-10-310 for the very first time. Brastel 10-10- 310 is available only in California, Florida and New York.
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[19] How can I use the advertised FIVE FREE MINUTES for the 800 service?
Just place a call to any destination from your U.S. landline or mobile phone using Brastel 1-800-822- 9585, and you will automatically receive the advertised FIVE MINUTES FREE. 5 free minutes are given once per line when you use Brastel 1-800-822-9585 for the very first time. Brastel 1-800-822-9585 is available from anywhere in the U.S. and Canada.
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[20] How can I know my card's balance?
You can check your card's balance and all your account activities through the Internet by checking your personal account online  (login here)  Also, you will be informed of the remaining minutes on your account every time you place a call before your call is completed.
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[21] Can I check my call history?
Yes. You can check your call history for the current and previous months online. (login here) You can also check the calls you have placed by calling us.
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[22] Do I need to register my card?
Registration is not always required. However, by registering, you will be able to manage your account more securely and we will be able to offer you a personalized service.
If you have a card, you may register that card online
(login here) by calling our Customer Service or by filling out and sending us a paid-postage Business Reply Mail form usually provided with the card.
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[23] Does my card have an expiration date?
Yes. However, your card will NOT expire as long as you keep using it. Your card (account) will expire only if you do not use it for 3 years. If there is no record of any activity on your card over a period of 3 years, your access code will be deleted from our database. Then you will not be able to use your card or any remaining balance on your account.
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[24] Can I change my PIN?
Yes! You can change your PIN online, just login here  Actually, you can even PERSONALIZE your access code.
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[25] How can I change my mailing address?
You may change your address online (login here)  , or you may call Brastel Customer Service to request the change.
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[26] Are rates higher on weekdays or during weekends?
Brastel offers the same low rates 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
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[27] What is the rate to my country?
Please see our rates table  for details.
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[28] Are the rates for the 10-10-310 service the same as the rates for the 800 service?
No, they are different, but both rates are 24/7.
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[29] What is the minimum call charge?
The minimum call charge is 1 minute per call. For example: If the rate to a destination is 5 cents per minute, you will be charged a minimum of 5 cents.
Applicable taxes, surcharges and fees will be charged in addition to usage charges.
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[30] How much does it cost to use the 10-10-310 access and the 800 access?
With both accesses you pay only for what you use, plus applicable regulatory taxes, fees and surcharges.
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[31] How am I billed for calls when using BRASTEL Smart Phonecard?
Calls are billed in 1-minute increments. With Brastel you can stay on the phone as long or as short as you want because, unlike several other long distance carriers, there is no need to spend all your credit at once to get the advertised rate.
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[32] Are there any other fees or hidden charges?
NO! You are charged only for the calls you make plus applicable regulatory taxes, fees and surcharges. Payphone surcharge may apply. With BRASTEL Smart Phonecard, there is:
NO monthly fee
NO daily/weekly service fee
NO contracts
NO hidden fees
NO per call fee
NO maintenance fee
NO sign up fee
NO set up fee
NO expiration fee
NO need to spend all credit at once
NO need to cancel your current carrier
NO carrier switching
Check it out !!
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[33] Is there an additional charge if I use your 800 service from a payphone?
Yes, an additional Payphone Surcharge is deducted from your account (phonecard) for each call placed from a payphone to cover the cost of the mandatory payphone compensation. FCC rules currently require long distance companies to compensate payphone owners for 800 calls they receive from payphones. The Payphone Surcharge is a per-call charge.
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[34] Do I have to pay registration or maintenance fees?
No. Registration is free. There is no maintenance fee either. You will be charged only for the calls you place plus applicable regulatory taxes, fees and surcharges. Check it out online (login here).
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[35] Am I going to receive bills at home?
Usually not. However, Brastel may in some cases mail you an invoice. In most cases invoices are for informative purposes only. If you receive an invoice from Brastel and have any questions about it, please call our Customer Service.
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[36] How do I recharge my card (account)?
1 - Online (login here)
2- Call Customer Service at: 1-888-TO-BRASTEL (1-888-862- 7278)
3- Set up AUTO RECHARGE. This service will automatically recharge your account according to your choices.

PAYMENTS MUST BE MADE BY:
• Credit or Debit cards (also called check cards, ATM cards or banking cards) but only those with a Visa or MasterCard logo on the front.
• Check or Money Order (by mail)
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[37] How long do I have to wait to use Brastel service after I pay?
Credit card payments usually take less than 5 minutes to be processed. However, depending on the speed of the communication network used to process your transaction and update our database with your payment, this process may take longer sometimes.
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[38] Can I change the amount to AUTO RECHARGE my card (account)?
Yes, you can set and change your AUTO RECHARGE amount at your convenience online or through our Customer Service. However, there are limits to AUTO RECHARGE amounts for security reasons.
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[39] How secure is to make payments online to Brastel?
Brastel's online Recharge is a service secured by VERISIGN, one of the world's most trusted solutions for Web site security.
If you prefer, you can recharge your account by calling Brastel Customer Service at 1-888-TO-BRASTEL (1- 888-862-7278).
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[40] Can I transfer funds from my BRASTEL Smart Phonecard to another BRASTEL Smart Phonecard?
You can transfer funds ONLY between BRASTEL Smart Phonecards issued in the US. However, there is a procedure to verify the legitimacy of any fund transfer to protect our customers. All fund transfers are subject to Brastel's approval.
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