Calling ‘Anytime’ A Hit

Fri, 29 Oct 2004

Calling ‘Anytime’ A Hit With Telecom Residential Customers

Two months after its launch, Telecom’s Anytime plan has been well received, with customers on the plan seeing big savings on national toll calls and calls from home to New Zealand mobile phones.

Launched at the end of August in a New Zealand first, Telecom Anytime abolishes the distinction between home line peak and off-peak rates, giving Telecom customers on the plan the option of one cheaper rate for calls at any time of day or night.

Anytime customers can save up to $10 a month through the reduced national and home to mobile calling rates, and new national capped calling rate of $2.75 for up to two hours.

Mother and home business owner Julie Landry said Anytime gives her the freedom to make national calls during the day.

“I used to wait until after 6pm to call my friend in Timaru so I could take advantage of the off-peak rates. On Anytime, I can make the same calls during the day when my baby is sleeping, which leaves me more time to spend with my family in the evenings,” said Ms Landry.

For Aucklander Geoff McDowell, Anytime has helped him maintain a long-distance relationship with his girlfriend in Wellington.

“I’ve just started a business in Auckland so I’m not able to travel to Wellington as frequently. Using Anytime’s capped calling we can talk every night for up to two hours and pay no more than $2.75,” said Mr McDowell.

“Cheaper home-to-mobile calling means I can also ring my partner on her mobile if she’s still at work and talk to her from home without incurring a huge cost.”

More than a quarter of New Zealand households are currently enjoying savings on the Anytime plan, with new customers signing up daily.

Telecom General Manager Consumer Kelly Moore said Anytime marked one of the biggest revolutions in calling prices for residential customers in years.

“The plan combines home line rental and reduced Anytime calling rates into one easy package, providing customers greater choice, value and freedom to call anytime, and enjoy greater certainty over their calling spend.”

ENDS

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