Description:

This collectible phone card, dating back to the mid-1990s, serves as a captivating artifact of telecommunications history and marketing during the SuperComm ’96 exposition. It is a die-cut, round telechip card designed with a meticulous color scheme of green, white, and yellow. The front prominently features the "SuperComm ’96" logo, positioned above the identification of CABLE & WIRELESS, INC., along with an authorization number reading "00 TEST," indicating its test or demonstration status. Below this, a mint condition note highlights a limited release of only 2,500 units, emphasizing its collectible value. The phrase "TO LEARN VOICE INSTRUCTIONS" directs users to a toll-free number for voice guidance, representing an early form of interactive customer engagement prior to the widespread use of the internet. A distinctive red '5' overlays the minutes text, suggesting usage specifics or allocated time credits associated with the card.

Surrounding the card’s face are several key inscriptions that underscore Hitachi Telecom USA’s vision for the emerging "new communications economy." Encircling the edge are the phrases “THE NEW COMMUNICATIONS ECONOMY” and “VITA EST COMMUNICATIO” ("Life is Communication" in Latin), framing the card and illustrating a philosophical stance that communication technology is central to modern life. Additionally, the phrase “THE TECHNOLOGY STANDARD” affirms the brand’s commitment to establishing rigorous benchmarks, likely aligned with their innovations in broadband, ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode), SONET (Synchronous Optical Network), PBX (Private Branch Exchange), NMS (Network Management Systems), transmission, and switching systems. These terms evoke a rapidly evolving telecommunications infrastructure, which Hitachi Telecom USA aimed to represent at SuperComm ’96 — one of the industry’s premier events spotlighting the convergence of cable and wireless networking.

On the reverse, a stylized emblem replaces the more functional front text. This circular design features a central icon resembling an eye or a target, surrounded by a ring punctuated with geometric shapes. Encircling this emblem are the words “THE HITACHI TELECOM (U.S.A.) LTD THE TECHNOLOGY STANDARD,” again framed by “THE NEW COMMUNICATIONS ECONOMY” and “VIA EST COMMUNICATIO.” This seal-like graphic reinforces the brand’s identity as both authoritative and forward-thinking, symbolizing the company’s commitment to cutting-edge communications technology. The card’s die-cut edge adds tactile appeal and visual interest, showcasing practical artistry in collectible telecommunication memorabilia from a time when phone cards were essential tools for global communication and travel.

Overall, this collectible phone card is more than a simple calling device; it captures a moment in telecommunications history during a transformative era. Against the backdrop of SuperComm ’96, Hitachi Telecom USA positioned itself as a key player in the transition toward an interconnected broadband future. The branding—highlighting advanced technology standards and next-generation network infrastructure like ATM and SONET—reflects the company’s vision of the "new communications economy." Collectors and historians will appreciate the card for its aesthetic appeal, rarity, and symbolic messaging, which encapsulate broader technological shifts in transmission, switching, and network management systems during the mid-1990s.

Since we have the world's largest inventory of USA phonecards for collectors, you will not necessarily receive the identical serial/batch/PIN number that we have scanned/pictured.