Ben_Kinchant@kcbbs.gen.nz (Ben Kinchant) (03/11/91)
Telecom New Zealand introduced "Card Phones" in early 1990 to most parts of NZ. These phones accept a debit type card, a "Phone Card" which are available in NZ$5,10,20 and 50 denominations. It costs NZ$0.20 per min for a local call from a card phone (US$0.12) Toll calls from card phones are more expensive that from a home phone. The public phones that were in use before the card phones would be NZ$0.20 per *call*, but Telecom says that maintainance costs of the public telephones are much higher, which are reflected in the rates for card phones. Ben Kinchant, Ben_Kinchant@kcbbs.gen.nz
stephen@corp.telecom.co.nz (Richard Stephen) (03/11/91)
In article <telecom11.191.6@eecs.nwu.edu> Ben_Kinchant@kcbbs.gen.nz (Ben Kinchant) writes: > Telecom New Zealand introduced "Card Phones" in early 1990 to most > 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. 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. At the time, there was considerable public anguish about being levied the full rate. Telecom countered that since the basic equipment, including the pole and plastic housing cost a lot more than a simple domestic phone installation, they considered that off-peak rates could not be supported. From my Wellington Phone Directory: Telecom NZ maintains a distance based national toll charging structure whose rate varies according the time of day. There are 8 charging steps A-I, with A being the smallest (closest distance outside the free calling area) and I the furthest. Rate structure: Full Rate: Mon-Fri 8am-Noon (FR) Afternoon Rate: Mon-Fri Noon-6pm = approx 20% off FR Economy Rate: Mon-Fri 6pm-10pm; 7am-8am } Sat,Sun & National Hol 7am-10pm }= 40% off FR Night Rate: Everyday 10pm-7am = approx 70% off FR richard.
stephen@corp.telecom.co.nz (03/16/91)
Charlie Lear (clear@cavebbs.gen.nz) writes in response to my article: > 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). > "There is no additional charge levied just because it is a card-phone." Agreed. Mea Culpa ! Its been a long time since I used a public phone, simply because I haven't needed to. Yes, I too could have phoned the operator to check first. Thankyou for the information. richard. These are my opinions entirely, and do not represent my employer in any way whatsoever.
clear@cavebbs.gen.nz (03/16/91)
In article <telecom11.198.4@eecs.nwu.edu> 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