M1 to introduce one-minute minimum charge for calls

M1 to introduce one-minute minimum charge for calls

    POSTED: 06 Dec 2013 20:34

Telco M1 will be adopting a one-minute minimum charge for outgoing local voice and video calls on per-second billing plans from 1 January 2014.

SINGAPORE: Telco M1 will be adopting a one-minute minimum charge for outgoing local voice and video calls on per-second billing plans from 1 January 2014.

"From 1 January 2014, outgoing local voice and video call usage on Per Second Billing plans will have a minimum one-minute charge and billed per second thereafter," said M1 on its website.

This move follows competitor StarHub's move in April, with voice and video outgoing local calls charged based on an "initial block of one minute and thereafter at per second rate, with effect from 1 May 2013".

For SingTel, "local talk time is charged based on an initial block of one minute and subsequent blocks of six seconds rounded to the nearest cent on a per call basis".

M1 will also be doubling its excess data charges to S$10.70 per GB, with the maximum excess charge capped at S$188.32 from 1 January. It had previously charged S$5.35 per GB, and capped that maximum excess charge at S$94.16.

These new charges are in line with SingTel, which had earlier doubled its mobile charges for 4G customers who exceed their monthly data bundle. SingTel said that its earlier rate was a promotion which ended on Sept 15.

"The rate of S$5.35/GB for 4G local excess data usage data that is used beyond the monthly data bundle was offered as a special promotion with the launch of our 4G service in June 2012," said a SingTel spokesman on 14 August.

StarHub's promotional data excess charges will also expire on 31 December, with the rates returning to their usual price of S$8.56 per GB. The maximum data bill will now be capped at S$85.60. StarHub's promotional rate was S$6.42 per GB of excess data, with the maximum data bill capped at S$64.20.

"The promotional data excess charge details were communicated to customers ever since we launched the plans in September 2012," said a StarHub spokesman.

-TODAY/xq

- wong chee tat :)