New T&T to Cut Fixed-Line Phone Call Fees by 90%Fixed-line operator New T&T has unveiled promotional price cuts on its long-distance telephone services to China in anticipation of Beijing's desire to reduce prices of basic telecommunications services.New T&T, which is owned by cable television-to-property conglomerate Wharf (Holdings), said it would cut international direct dialing (IDD) tariffs between Hong Kong and the mainland for most time slots by between 15 per cent to 90 per cent. These prices will be valid for two months, by which time it is expected that the mainland will have formally announced new wholesale tariffs for long-distance telephone traffic into China's mainland. On Monday, the mainland said it would speed up the opening of the sector ahead of China's entry into the World Trade Organization by allowing the market to determine service prices. It also would cut most basic charges by more than 50 per cent. At present, SAR IDD operators connecting a call into the mainland must pay a fixed wholesale rate of 80 HK cents for every six seconds to mainland carriers. New T&T said calls made on its 0070 service to Shenzhen and Shekou would be charged at 7 HK cents per minute on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, down from 87 HK cents per minute. |
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