Telstra's New Deal: A Single Number
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday March 12, 1997
Telstra yesterday launched a one-number telephone system that the company claims is more revolutionary than the cellular phone.
Known as Telepath, the system will allow people to use a single new number with a 0500 prefix, instead of having separate numbers for the home, work, mobile phone and pager.
Telstra will charge mobile phone rates for users calling out and for incoming callers. Customers will also have to pay a $7 monthly fee to use Telepath and a connection fee of $25.
As a promotion, Telstra will offer a free connection for the first six weeks.
Subscribers to the service will receive a completely new number.
The move to introduce Telepath is a forerunner to Telstra's plans to introduce next month a single bill for all services. And next year the company plans to introduce an all-purpose handset that can be used for fixed and mobile lines.
Telstra said it is expecting a strong response from business people who are constantly on the move to the Telepath service.
Telstra group managing director retail products, Mr Lindsay Yelland, said yesterday the Telepath system, which already is offered by several providers around the world, is "the gateway to the 21st century".
Group product manager Mr Rick Arden said the service also provided customers with the ability to screen calls.
"Not only does this integrate mobile and fixed line but maximises control and contactability," Mr Arden said.
© 1997 Sydney Morning Herald
