Collect Call on Your Mobile Will You Accept the Charges?
Posted by Kim on Jul 8, 2008 in Announcements, In The News, Mobile Technology
Sometimes it seems the more things change, the more they stay the same. Despite the plethora of unlimited long distance calling plans (both on landline phones and on mobile phones) and extremely easy access to calling cards, being able call someone collect is still needed.
While this convenient billing feature is old hat to landline calling, it has proven troublesome for mobile phones. Because mobile phones are increasingly replacing landline phones, the inability to place collect calls to mobiles had dramatically reduced the number of collect calls overall. With today’s announcement by 3Cinteractive about the immediate and full scale launch of their patent pending Text Collect™ service, that is all going to change.
Text Collect™ combines Interactive Voice Response, SMS and Premium SMS (PSMS) mobile billing, producing the only service that allows collect calling and operator services providers to complete collect calls to mobile phones.
According to David Ellerstein, 3Cinteractive’s Text Collect™ General Manager, “Revenues from Text Collect™ have grown more than 150% per month since January. The trial produced solid, detailed statistics concerning settlement rates, bad debt ratios and customer service inquiries. All are performing better than our initial projections for the product.”
Text Collect™ is the mobile industry’s only patent pending premium billing application for collect calls. It offers a risk and fraud management system and a real-time purchase receipt via text message for the person who accepted the collect call.
At first glance this seems like a “no big deal” announcement, but then I got to thinking about what would happen if I were in a position that I really, really needed to reach someone and the only way to do it was by collect call. If my family didn’t happen to be at home by the landline what would I do? And at least we still have a landline phone. If we were completely mobile for our phone access, not being able to call collect feels a bit like not having 911. TextCollect™ is a valuable service.
kimberly blosser | Aug 21, 2008 | Reply
i am looking for a company that allows me to recieve collect calls fom a prison in illinois on my cell or home phone i am in wiscousin
cindy | Sep 7, 2008 | Reply
global tech can provide that service prepaid google it and you will see, my man just got locked up and thats how he calls me on my cell
k | Oct 23, 2008 | Reply
I would suggest you look at this company! They are great and I am waiting for their new nationwide program myself. I have done quite a bit of research on this when I had someone in jail and I have found that this is the best choice, and they saved me alot of money. Give them a call at 602-251-3131. Best of luck!
Steve | Dec 2, 2008 | Reply
we have a number of options that you can use for making collect calls from a prison to a cell phone or land line.
Walt | Jun 1, 2009 | Reply
This company allow children to sign up for service, using their cell number and have it billed on the parents cell bill.
This should be illegal.
sonny | Jan 5, 2010 | Reply
This company is total bullshit. They charge the hell out of you.
Crystal | Jan 11, 2010 | Reply
I agree with Walt and Sonny, it should be illegal and it is BS that this company does not have stricter authorizations. It is too easy for someone to sign up unbeknownst to the actual cell account holder. Then there is no way to speak to someone at this company… the website provides 2 toll free #s but nobody answers… you get the generic IVR advising to stay on the line and your call will be answerred by the next available representative but you hear elevator music for about 2 mins, then go to dead air… after about 12 mins of holding it rolls to a fast busy.
k | Jan 11, 2010 | Reply
I am a bit confused because there were 2 companies being referred (myself and Steve). Please clarify which you have had issues with because the one that I suggested I feel has great service and have many satisfied customers. I am not an expert but I believe there is no way to charge a cellphone a collect call fee. It was and always has been my understanding that collect calls are blocked to ALL cell phone numbers. Anyways I used the service and recommend it highly!
kaycee | Feb 27, 2010 | Reply
in australia, we have a reverse charge call service t and from mobiles called 1800mumdad (1800686323). like this service, it is very good for emergency purposes. it is not for long chats.
nikitaxkid | Feb 28, 2010 | Reply
maybe ill accept the call if i know the person on the other end of the line. just like kaycee we also have 08000mumdad in UK
george | Feb 28, 2010 | Reply
Yes I am very familiar with 1800mumdad here in Australia. My children use it for emergencies when they need to reach us. Keeps me feel comforted when they are out of my sight.
tyra | Mar 1, 2010 | Reply
Yes,in Australia we have 1800mumdad it is a reverse charge call that works like a collect call. The term collect calls and reverse charge calls are the same in meaning. Now a days reverse charge call is often use when referring to collect calls. You can use this anytime you need it, to call for help or simply to ask a favor when you run out of credit. It is user friendly and even a kid could use it.
tyra | Mar 1, 2010 | Reply
Yes, in Australia we have 1800mumdad it is a reverse charge call that works like a collect call. The term collect calls and reverse charge calls are the same in meaning. Now a day’s reverse charge call is often use when referring to collect calls. You can use this anytime you need it, to call for help or simply to ask a favor when you run out of credit. It is user friendly and even a kid could use it.
Brandon | Mar 1, 2010 | Reply
I think you better check some ads regarding what you have in the US, if you have a couple or more then compare what suits your budget well. I am from Australia and regarding reverse charge calls, they are very helpful. It was already mentioned earlier here and I am a 1800mumdad user. People behind these kind of services are geniuses!
SAM | Mar 1, 2010 | Reply
you can contact a company called TTI who offers this type of service. they have 800 numbers or local numbers you can call and they will allow collect calls to cell phones. if you Google TTI collect 2 cell you find them. hope that helps
zahra | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
I guess you must look for companies like mumdad this my allow other people to call you whenever they run out of credit. This are reverse charge calls and work the same as collect calls.`
george | Mar 3, 2010 | Reply
When I look back at why my daughter had to reach me, I’m just grateful that she was able to through 1800mumdad and the fee is not that bad. I have no complains I can only say thanks!
nikitaxkid | Mar 4, 2010 | Reply
TTI? i still prefer mumdad, it connects fast and no operator on the line.
Techie Aussie | Mar 6, 2010 | Reply
yep yep 1800mumdad is 1800mumdad! yeah!!!
george | Mar 9, 2010 | Reply
How 1800mumdad touched my family’s life is simply awesome! I even blogged about it. http://georrush.wordpress.com/