Silly Toll Calls Could Finally Be A Thing Of The Past For The People Of Rangiora And Kaiapoi.

Clayton Cosgrove, Member of Parliament for Waimakariri today met with Telstra-Saturn Chief Executive Jack Matthews, to discuss the possibility of the telecommunications company extending its network expansion plans into North Canterbury.

Mr Cosgrove said, “the meeting was very constructive and Jack Matthews and I agreed that the absurd and unfair toll charging regime, where the people of Rangiora have to make a toll call to telephone Kaiapoi and Christchurch, was very similar to the situation that existed in Kapiti before the Company set up its operations.”

“I explained to Mr Matthews that the people of Rangiora and Kaiapoi had not had a fair go from the telecommunications industry for many years, and I encouraged him to expand his company’s network into these localities. I have offered to assist in the expansion,” Mr Cosgrove said.

“Mr Matthews gave me an undertaking that he would consider a network expansion, and I will continue to push for this result. He has agreed to report back to me in the very near future.”

“Mr Matthews also guaranteed that if Telstra-Saturn did expand into North Canterbury, his company would promote toll free calling into Christchurch from Rangiora, and between Rangiora and Kaiapoi.” Mr Cosgrove said.

“I have held a senior management position within the telecommunications industry and I know that the people who pay the ultimate price for the lack of true competition in calling services are the consumers, especially in rural areas. I welcome the fact that Telstra-Saturn is willing to consider including Rangiora and Kaiapoi in its expansion plans, because this will mean that there will be some real competition between telecommunications companies and ultimately consumers will get a fair go.”

“This is great news for the people of Rangiora and Kaiapoi. I will continue to push for Telstra-Saturn to extend its network expansion into North Canterbury and if this does happen, then the days of making silly toll calls for these two towns may be over,” Mr Cosgrove said.

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