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IC PHONECARDS (by Craig Fisher, UK) |
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| IC phonecards made their debut in Tokyo on 24
March 1999, and are now available in denominations of 105, 210 and 320 units
(costing 1000, 2000 and 3000 yen, respectively). They are only slightly
thicker than the magnetic cards (0.45 mm versus 0.28 mm) and use a
contactless method for transferring data, so the microchip is not visible.
One corner of the card must be removed before it can be used. Unlike
magnetic cards, the new IC cards have an expiry date but also allow the
purchaser to store their favourite phone number on the card for rapid
dialling. Like their magnetic counterparts, two types of IC cards are being issued; public issue or "Ready-made" cards, and private issue or "Order-made" cards. Only a small number of "Ready-made" cards have been issued so far. IC "Order-Made" cards can be produced in denominations of 30, 50, 105 and 210 units. |
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| public issue or "Ready-made" card | private issue or "Order-made" card |