September 2, 1999

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

NTT Communications Corporation will launch new international telephone services on October 1, 1999 designed to facilitate communication with 208 countries and regions around the world.

The company today filed to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications for the tarriffs of the new services, parts of which require the authorization of the Minister.


International Dial Service

1) Outline of Services
The international dial service with the prefix “0033” enables users to connect to 208 countries and regions around the globe from their current telephones. It is not necessary to file an application or register to use this service.

2-1)Charges
Charge rates for the new service have been fixed according to region. The rates (shown in Attachment 1) are more detailed and customer-oriented than other providers’ charge rates fixed by zone. For example, the new charge for a 3-minute call to the United States during daytime on weekdays is 180 yen. The same call to China is 420 yen, Korea is 330 yen and the Philippines is 450 yen. These charges are lower than other providers’ rates. (For call rate comparisons, refer to Attachment 2.)

2-2)Discount Charges
For much lower rates, two different discount services will be provided to both corporate and personal customers, which require customer application. There are no registration fees or basic monthly charges for both discount services.

2-2-a) Discount service for corporate customers (Corporate Discount):
The more users utilize this service, the more their discount rate increases. For instance, a 10% discount is adopted for those whose monthly use ranges from 3,000 to 30,000 yen, while a 13% discount applies for those in the 30,000-to-300,000 yen bracket and 15% for those with monthly use topping 300,000 yen. For example, for those placing 500,000 yen worth of monthly calls, a 3-minute daytime call to the United States will dip to 155 yen, while the same call to China will cost 363 yen, Korea 285 yen and the Philippines 388 yen.

2-2-b) Discount service for personal customers (Home Discount):
The midnight-to-early morning discount period will expand further to 20:00-to-10:00 hours on weekdays and all day long on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays. In addition, when monthly use exceeds 1,500 yen, an additional five percent discount will be provided for use in day and evening hours, and a 10% additional discount will apply from midnight to early morning. For example, a 3-minute call between 20:00 and 10:00 on weekdays and call on Saturday, Sunday or a national holiday will cost 108 yen, 40% cheaper compared to the regular day rate (Attachment 3).

2-3. Available Networks:
The services can be used via the following access networks:
General subscriber line/ISDN
Arcstar Direct *
Public telephones

In addition, the services also will be accessible from cellular and PHS phones starting in November.


Other Services

For the benefit of users, the following services will also be provided. (See Attachment 4 for outline of services)

1) International Member’s Net (International VPN)
2) Third-Party Billing Service
3) Charge Notification Service
4) International Toll Free Service (ITFS)
5) International ISDN Service
6) International Telephone Service via Arcstar Direct



Note : Arcstar direct:
ISDN service that allows low-cost communication charges by directly connecting users to NTT Communications’ network. The service can be used for ISDN primary rate interface (1.5 M) inbound and outbound communications (both voice and 64 kbit/s digital modes).
The service has been provided from August 25.