Minister outlines action to deal with Solo prepaid cell phone changes

Officials of Government Services and Lands met with Aliant officials on Thursday, May 16 to outline the department�s concerns regarding recent changes which affect purchasers of prepaid Solo cell phones and prepaid Solo cell phone call cards.

Aliant recently gave notice to Solo prepaid customers that, beginning August 3, 2002, they will have to "top up" their prepaid accounts every 60 days to keep them active. The minimum charge for a "top up" is $25.

Walter Noel, minister responsible for consumer affairs, said: "This is substantially different from the previous policy which stated that customers had to make one billable call every 90 days in order to keep their accounts active. Also, customers purchased prepaid cards which stated that they could use them to make phone calls up to December 31, 2002.

"The company is now reviewing the matter. Departmental officials will meet with them again on Tuesday. I hope to be in a position, at that time, to clarify the issue for the many consumers affected by these changes."

Media contact: Rick Callahan, Communications, (709) 729-4860.

2002 05 17                          4:10 p.m.