Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!umich!telecom-request From: clear@cavebbs.gen.nz Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: Debit Phone Cards in NZ Message-ID: Date: 16 Mar 91 05:41:09 GMT Sender: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Organization: The Cave MegaBBS, Public Access Usenet, Wellington, NZ Lines: 56 Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 206, Message 7 of 10 In article Richard Stephen asserts: (quoting Ben Kinchant) >> Toll calls from card phones are more expensive that from a home phone. >> ... but Telecom says that maintainance costs of the >> public telephones are much higher, which are reflected in the rates >> for card phones. > In my opinion the above comments are incomplete, partially inaccurate > and slightly emotive. Au contraire. They are complete, accurate and impartial. In my opinion. > The facts as I understand them are that national toll calls made from > a public card phone are charged at the FULL RATE irrespective of the > time of day or day. The full rate charge is identical to the charge > applied to a call made from any other phone (eg domestic). There is no > additional charge levied just because it is a card-phone. That, Sir, is absolute garbage. I find it absolutely appalling that someone concerned with corporate strategy within NZ Telecom would even think of posting that without making a token effort to verify "the facts" (as you understand them). You see, I happen to be one of the users of the NZ Telecom network. And having blown my last $5.00 cash on a phone card to make an emergency call from Auckland to Wellington (since there were no old-fashioned coin phones anywhere) I can tell you that I was not amused at being cut off three minutes and forty seconds into my call. I just took the liberty of phoning the toll operator, who being a most helpful and obliging sort, found the rates immediately. Wellington-Auckland full rate: 76c/minute " " coin phone: 90c/minute " " card phone: $1.60/first minute, $1.20/min thereafter "There is no additional charge levied just because it is a card-phone." > At the time, there was considerable public anguish about being levied > the full rate. There is, Richard. At over 210% the nominal full rate (a staggering 701% of the night rate) you bet there is considerable anguish. Especially among those who can't afford a private phone and are dependent on callboxes to keep in touch. Just how many million is Telecom spending in its current "cute-animals-on-TV" advertising campaign again? Perhaps if Telecom spent more on what people want and less on propaganda we might all be a little happier with NZ Telecom's service. Charlie Lear clear@cavebbs.gen.nz