Batelco issued a number of different Calling Cards which ranged from one-off designs to tie in with international events such as the International Disabled Day to a series of PrePaid Cards of varying values. The cards depicted different scenes and events occurring around Bahrain reflecting the country's heritage, culture and scenery.
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The First Experimental Phone Card
Bahrain Telecommunications Company used the first experimental Autelca phone card on 19th April 1983. The launch coincided with the opening of the Company's Customer Services Centre in Bahrain International Airport, where sale and use of the card were confined to the airport's duty free.
The card was of 100 units and was sold for BD 4.500 The card was plain white both sides, with black magnetic strip of about 11 cm width along the bottom of the front side. It had four letters and four digits in the corner to indicate the name of the country - Bahrain and the quantity printed (BAHA 0001-1000).
Most of the quantity was used in Bahrain International Airport and 270 cards of the package were discovered accidentally in the Company stores in 1992, which is the quantity traded by amateurs.
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The First Trial Card
