Telecom price changes for some Smartphone services

Telecom Price Changes

In November Telecom is increasing the price of some Smartphone services within residential customer packages.

Telecom’s General Manager Marketing Kevin Kenrick said, even after the increase, many Smartphone services associated with packages would still be cheaper than when they were introduced more than ten years ago.

“Obviously, the cost of providing Smartphone services has risen over the years but, by making them available as part of packages, we have managed to keep the effect of cost increases to a minimum,” Mr Kenrick said.

Two of Telecom’s packages – MessageLine and SmartLine – have Smartphone components. These packages will increase in price by $2.05 to $45 per month in most of the country. In the Wellington 04 calling area, Christchurch city and most Christchurch suburbs, the increase will be $1.85 to $37.80 per month.

The price of having Call Minder in addition to a package will increase from $6 to $7 per month. Other Smartphone services, such as Caller Display and Call Waiting, which currently cost $2 per month when added to a package, will increase to $2.50 per month.

“Smartphone services included with packages continue to offer significant savings over those purchased individually,” Mr Kenrick said.

These monthly price changes will apply with effect from a customer’s November bill.

>From 1 November Telecom is also standardising the national and international Operator Assisted Calls surcharge to $3.50 per call for both business and residential customers. Operator assisted calls include price required and person-to-person calls.

The surcharge for all Collect Calls made within New Zealand will also be standardized to $3.50, with calls costing 80 cents per minute. The surcharge for Collect Calls made from overseas will be $9, with Operator Assisted International per minute prices applying. These changes apply to both business and residential calls.

Telecom offers alternatives to making Operator Assisted and Collect Calls including Home 0800, Yabba and Telecom Calling Cards.

The standardisation of Operator Assisted and Collect Calls means the surcharge on 14 call types will increase, five will be reduced and one will remain the same.

© Scoop Media