The Global Calling Card Business Infrastructure
Inside of the diagram the originating callers are in North America. The system in North America or in the originating side would have a local number to call into from the PSTN, as depicted by the two lower portion callers labeled the POT originating caller or cell phone originating caller. These calls go from the PSTN via a PRi line into the VoIP Management System. The soft phone, IP Phone and PBX users go directly to the VoIP Management System through the Internet.
The VoIP Management System consists of a soft switch with IVR and PIN generation, a web server for administration and user interfaces, and a database server connecting billing. Thus, the VoIP Management System is a Triple A solution of Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting.
On the Termination End, there are a few ways this diagram can be explained. The initial diagram assumes the Termination Company and VoIP Management system are from different companies. In this case, the call would go from the VoIP Management System to a termination provider to the destination, being any of the three options labeled in the diagram. In order to achieve this, the VoIP Management System is generally connected to a network of termination routes via one or many providers. These networks are generally referred to as A-Z providers or rates. From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. (All the Countries in the World.)
What does this mean in terms of requirements to set-up a Calling Card Company?
- In the originating location you need local numbers to call otherwise known as DIDs. (VocalScape can provide DID’s for calling card companies on a per minute usage and affordable low flat fee in the US and Canada. Clients would need to locate DID providers within their own Countries. In cases where a DID is unavailable, utilizing the inbound telephone numbers of a Call Shop or Call Center is possible for achieving the same effect.)
- A VoIP Management System, including Billing Server, Soft switch, and Web server for Interfaces, Calling Card System Licenses, Soft phone License, and Transaction Processing (Ecommerce)
- Collocation of the servers or high speed internet access (t1/e1, or SDSL)
- PRi line is only needed if you are connecting directly to the PSTN, if you are using a DID provider who converts the traffic from PSTN to IP for you, then it is not necessary to incur this expense.
- Contracts with carriers and A-Z providers, VocalScape often supplies A-Z providers as part of the VoIP Management System purchase provided a prepaid deposit is made.
- Technical Staff and Support is required to launch a VoIP Calling Card Business. VoIP Networks require the support and assistance of a Telecommunications Engineer. With the various CODECs, PROTOCALs, and TESTING that occurs in VoIP, it is an ongoing necessity. A technical staff member can also better communicate with the VocalScape support team to avoid incurring increased support costs.
- Localization Costs are an additional cost for changing the Voice Response (IVR) Prompts within the calling card system to accommodate other languages for running a truly global calling card business. Localization would include translation, recording, and in some cases currency conversion, but most firms either work on a USD, Pound Sterling or EURO currency conversion.
VocalScape is capable of organizing and deploying all 7 aspects for a Calling Card Business.
How the System Works For theEnd User
1. The customer signs-up online to receive a virtual calling card PIN or purchases a Calling card from an agent or Vendor partner
2. The customer dials a local number (DID) or toll-free access number posted online or shown on the calling card.
3. The call is converted from the telephone network to the Internet via the gateway or soft switch connect to the number dialed, Voice Prompts request a PIN, inform of the balance, and send the call through the VoIP Management System
4. The process of Authenticating the PIN is complete, the call is authorized and the number is dialed. The call is connected to the A-Z termination provider and sent from the internet and converted to the telephone network at the termination end. (Or sent to an IP Phone or Soft phone.)
5. The call duration is logged real time for the billing server and accounting. The end user will be able to log-in online and view their account balance, calls made, and recharge. Upon approaching the prepaid amount, both Voice Prompts and Email notices are used to notify the end user.
Overall Investment Required:
A Complete Calling Card System (Wholly owned by the client)
1. VoIP Management System$25,000 USD
-Calling Card Module
-Soft phone License (h323 soft phone or SIP soft phone)
-Web Server
-Database Server
-Soft switch Server
-Billing Software Installation
2. US & Canada DIDs (Local Numbers):$TBA
3. VoIP Collocation Facilities Cost:$TBA
-T1/E1 connections
-Half Cage (4+ U’s)
4. A-Z Prepayment: Clients Choice
5. Optional: Additional Gateways per country to set-up termination$7,000 USD each
(This is the cost of owning the system, not including support costs which are explained on a custom basis. The following is the hosted platform explanation.)
Total: $30,000 USD + est. $2,000 per month support
H323 and SIP Soft Phone Applications
Easy To Use
Delivered as a completeserver with hosted applications… Simply:
H323 Soft Phone Functions
SIP Soft Phone Functions
VoIP Management System Platform Diagram
Contact Information
Ryan Gibson VP Sales
604-696-6313 x 101