VoIP operator Switch Telecom has announced another in a series of double digit rates reductions – this time a cut of 20%.
“Switch Telecom was launched with a commitment to real annual rates reductions that were more often than not significant, double digit reductions in call rates,” comments Shannon Duffin, Switch Telecom operations director.
“South African telecoms consumers are tired of seeing paltry, single digit call rate relief year after year while the operators’ input costs decline at a much faster rate. What’s interesting is that despite much drum-beating by the traditional operators, consumers who haven’t yet contracted with a VoIP provider find that their phone bills remain curiously resistant to downward pressures,” says Duffin.
Switch Telecom has implemented the vast majority of its cuts where they really matter.
“National fixed and mobile destinations have been targeted for call reductions because that’s where people are actually calling. We don’t subscribe to the thinking that a 50% reduction in call rates to Kazakhstan coupled with a 10% reduction in call rates to your mom in the next suburb means that your operator has cut rates by an average of 30%,” Duffin says.
She adds that it is common for local VoIP operators to make a particular fuss about the fact that they offer free calls within their own network.
“This is pure subterfuge. The savings that a typical VoIP customer can get from free on-net calls is usually marginal compared to the potential savings on mobile and national calls that have been reduced by 20%.”
Switch Telecom’s new rates came into effect on 1 April 2013 for national and mobile calls and on 15 April 2013 for international calls. Fixed monthly service fees on all Switch Telecom accounts remain unchanged.
“Switch Telecom was launched with a commitment to real annual rates reductions that were more often than not significant, double digit reductions in call rates,” comments Shannon Duffin, Switch Telecom operations director.
“South African telecoms consumers are tired of seeing paltry, single digit call rate relief year after year while the operators’ input costs decline at a much faster rate. What’s interesting is that despite much drum-beating by the traditional operators, consumers who haven’t yet contracted with a VoIP provider find that their phone bills remain curiously resistant to downward pressures,” says Duffin.
Switch Telecom has implemented the vast majority of its cuts where they really matter.
“National fixed and mobile destinations have been targeted for call reductions because that’s where people are actually calling. We don’t subscribe to the thinking that a 50% reduction in call rates to Kazakhstan coupled with a 10% reduction in call rates to your mom in the next suburb means that your operator has cut rates by an average of 30%,” Duffin says.
She adds that it is common for local VoIP operators to make a particular fuss about the fact that they offer free calls within their own network.
“This is pure subterfuge. The savings that a typical VoIP customer can get from free on-net calls is usually marginal compared to the potential savings on mobile and national calls that have been reduced by 20%.”
Switch Telecom’s new rates came into effect on 1 April 2013 for national and mobile calls and on 15 April 2013 for international calls. Fixed monthly service fees on all Switch Telecom accounts remain unchanged.