Telecom charges

Press, 28 June 1989, Page 16

Telecom charges

Sir,—l share P. J. Goodwin’s concern regarding the abuse of monopoly power Telecom holds (June 24). Being a paid-up subscriber for more than 20 years, I was surprised and annoyed at being omitted from the new telephone directory. In spite of spending hours on Telecom’s system endeavouring to get an explanation, I still have no verbal or written reply. I trust that no other subscriber is going to be charged for inquiring after my number until a new directory is compiled. — Yours, etc.,

W. J. THOMPSON. June 26, 1989.

Sir, —P. J. Goodwin (June 24) grizzles about the 45c charge that businesses will have to pay for each call for directory assistance from Saturday; more specifically about the policy, as stated on the sheet informing people of that charge, delivered the week before last, that (he/she misquotes it): “The charge is incurred even if the number can not be supplied.” There are four points made about business calls for directory assistance on that sheet: that is the last. He/she fails to mention the first, which is that a maximum of two inquiries may be made per call; if you are unlucky enough to get no number sometimes, you can get two at others. The issue of a charge for business calls for directory assistance is irrelevant. P. J. Goodwin could note the names for which he/she needed numbers, and ring for directory assistance from home.—Yours, etc.,

PHILIP PERRY. June 26,1989.