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NLIS 14 May 23, 2002 (Government Services and Lands) Minister says Aliant agrees to change policy on Solo prepaid cell phone services Walter Noel, minister responsible for consumer affairs, says consumers will benefit following today�s decision by Aliant Telecom Mobility to dramatically change previously announced actions regarding prepaid cell phone services. The minister said: "On Thursday of last week, departmental officials met with Aliant officials, and, together, they discussed means to resolve consumer concerns with changes being made to Solo pre-paid policies. "We have now reviewed the concerns and Aliant has agreed to a different approach which will help to ensure that consumers are being treated fairly." The key change is that customers with prepaid balances valid for Solo cards purchased before June 3, 2002 will now be able to keep their minutes valid until December 31, 2002, the date printed on the card, or alternately, request a rebate for any unused air time minutes. Aliant has outlined its new position in a letter of commitment to government. The full text of that letter follows: ______________________________ May 23, 2002 ATTENTION: The Honourable Walter Noel,
Dear Sir: I write further to the recent discussions between the Department of Government Services and Lands and Aliant Telecom Mobility concerning the recent changes to Aliant Telecom Mobility�s Solo Prepaid cellular plan. Aliant Telecom Mobility confirms that it will honour existing unused minutes on Solo Prepaid cellular plan cards, which had been purchased prior to June 3, 2002, until December 31, 2002. The changes to the Solo Prepaid cellular plan which have been announced requiring top-ups (ie. the addition of a $25 or $50 voucher amount) to existing account balances every sixty (60) days will proceed as previously outlined, with the exception as noted above. As indicated above, customers will have until December 31, 2002 to use up minutes purchased prior to June 3, 2002. However, it should be noted that if the customer chooses to top-up their Prepaid Solo cellular plan account after June 3, 2002, the entire account balance will become subject to the new sixty (60) day expiry. If the extension to December 31, 2002 is unacceptable to any consumer who purchased a Prepaid Solo cellular plan card prior to June 3, 2002, Aliant Telecom Mobility will offer rebates on the portion of unused minutes remaining on these cards. No rebates will be offered on any cellular phones. We trust that the above will address any concerns that consumers may have with respect to the changes to the Solo Prepaid cellular plan. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned. Yours very truly, DEAN ROEBOTHAN ______________________________
Media contact: Rick Callahan, Communications, (709) 729-4860. 2002 05 23 3:40 p.m. |
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