New decreases would have extended E-talk to 60 days

by David Kelleher

Hundreds of Vodafone e-talk users would have made substantial savings per month if the Telecommunications regulator had approved the company's new tariff decreases package.

The time window for e-talk top up cards, which at present is on a monthly basis, was to have been extended to 60 days, an added benefit for those who do not make many phone calls. At present subscribers purchase a Lm10 voucher to start using the line. Scratching the voucher reveals a number with 14 digits. Dialling 09123 on the mobile will activate the pre-paid system followed by the 14-digit number. Thus, the client's bill will automatically increase by the value of the voucher.

The subscriber may then proceed to make calls. The voucher expires after 28 days. With Lm10, users will be able to make a number of calls depending on the time calls are made, whether they are to another mobile or else internationally.

In the new tariffs package, users will now only have to buy a new card every two months. Contacted by The Malta Independent on Sunday, Vodafone's managing director, Joe Grioli, confirmed that the e-talk window extension was proposed. "I can confirm that as part of the tariff decreases package the time window for e-talk top up cards was to be extended to 60 days."

The new tariff was not approved by the Telecommunications regulator.

"The regulator did not give reasons for his blanket disapproval of our tariff reduction proposals and said: 'I therefore feel that I cannot grant my approval until I have seen a detailed costing upon which the new rates are based'," Mr Grioli said. He added that "the extension of the windows is a natural step forward after the introduction of prepaid mobile telephone services".

Issue No. 274 20 - 26 January 2000   © Standard Publications Limited 1999