TOT launches B0.50-a-minute service

PHUKET: The Telephone Organization of Thailand (TOT) has raised the bar in its battle against fixed-line and mobile phone rivals by chopping prices for those using its Y-tel 1234 service. It is now offering long-distance calls within Thailand for as little as 50 satang a minute during August and September. The 50-satang charge applies on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, and on weekdays between 10 pm and 7 am. At other times the charge for using the service is 1 baht a minute. To use the service, callers must first dial 1234, then the area code and number they wish to reach. For a number in Bangkok, for example, callers should dial 1234-0-29876543. Calling into Phuket from outside, they should dial 1234-0-76123456. To call a mobile phone the format is similar: 1234-0-19540000 Only those calling from a TOT line may take advantage of the deep discounts. Thai Telephone & Telegraph (TT&T) matched TOT’s earlier version of the 1234 system, but has yet to drop its prices to the same level as the latest TOT offer. A TT&T spokesperson said, however, that the company would be matching TOT’s latest discounts soon. For more information on the TOT service, call the Marketing Unit at 076-212666.