CLEAR Launches Ztalk - A New Service Offering Cut-Rate Toll Calls
CLEAR Communications today launched a new no-frills tolls service, Ztalk, offering discounted toll calls charged in
15-minute periods, 24 hours a day.
Ztalk is the second Z-brand to be launched by CLEAR this year. ZFREE, a free residential ISP, was launched in April and
now has nearly 200,000 registered users.
"ZFREE has been an incredibly successful brand for us, and we're looking to build on that success," says CLEAR chief
executive, Peter Kaliaropoulos.
"There are a lot of similarities between Ztalk and ZFREE. They're both powered by CLEAR, they're both for residential
customers, they're both web-based services. They are quite different to anything else in the market."
CLEAR's existing toll call service will continue to offer capped calls in New Zealand and internationally, as well as
free customer help, loyalty schemes and other special deals and packages such as CLEAR's Yak Paks
(www.clear.co.nz/products/yak-paks).
Ztalk customer service will be free via email but, in order to keep toll rates as low as possible, telephone customer
service will be charged at 99 cents per minute. Weekly specials will be advertised on the Ztalk web site at
www.ztalk.co.nz (live from Thursday, 12th October), and customers of other toll service providers will be able to take
advantage of Ztalk services by dialling the prefix 0505 before making a particular call.
ENDS
Media statement, 11 October 2000 Ztalk offers revolutionary toll call pricing
National and international calls charged in 15-minute periods, 24 hours a day/seven days a week
* Rates as low as 99 cents per 15 minutes, anywhere in New Zealand
* Regular specials advertised on Ztalk web site, www.ztalk.co.nz from tomorrow
Ztalk, powered by CLEAR, was launched today offering telephone users a brand new way to make toll calls and save money.
Ztalk's innovative pricing sees calls charged in 15-minute periods, at an extremely low rate. For example, a call
anywhere in New Zealand for up to 15 minutes will cost just 99 cents.
Calls to cell phones continue to be charged at per-minute rates - at a low 59 cents per minute to a cell phone anywhere
in New Zealand.
All rates apply 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Ztalk customers will be able to get free help and advice via email. But to enable it to offer such low rates, Ztalk will
charge customers for telephone service, including bill queries and requests for information. Assistance will cost 99
cents per minute.
Ztalk spokesman Steve Jackson says 70 per cent of customers never call for help.
"So why should they have to pay for customer services though higher toll rates?" he says. "We're offering them a
choice."
Ztalk will offer weekly specials, advertised on its web site (www.ztalk.co.nz, live from Thursday, 12 October) and a
recorded phone message (0508 HOT DEALS). A complimentary Ztalk calling card will be distributed to all customers so they
can charge calls made away from home to their Ztalk account.
Customers will not have to sign up exclusively to Ztalk nor be customers of CLEAR - they can take advantage of specials
just by registering with Ztalk and dialling 0505 before every call made.
Customers can joint Ztalk online at www.ztalk.co.nz from tomorrow, or call Ztalk's toll free registration number, 0508
4ZTALK. Registration forms will also be available from next week at New Zealand Post, Dick Smith Electronics, Paper Plus
and Woolworths stores.
ENDS
For further information contact Rochelle Lockley Communications Manager - Commercial CLEAR Communications Ph: (09) 912
4104 Office Ph: (021) 763 784 Mobile