More data, less cost in Papua New Guinea

By CLARISSA MOI, the National PNG

CUSTOMERS are flocking in numbers at Telkom and bmobile outlets to enjoy the reduction in internet rates, with both companies expecting an immediate surge in sales.

bmobile-Vodafone retail staff Alma Lahui at the Vision City outlet told The National that on Wednesday afternoon alone, they sold 80 Telikom PNG SIM (subscriber identity module) cards and 90 bmobile SIM cards.

“This shows how the internet pricing reduction has affected our sales,” Lahui said.
“We are also attending to a lot of customers compared to previously.”
She said sales had improved tremendously.

bmobile Waigani retail store team leader Aiavuna Walo said there was a big increase in the number of customers on Wednesday and yesterday.
She said only a few got wind of news of the lowering of the rates on Wednesday.

But yesterday, more turned up after it was extensively publicised.

Walo said since they were dealing with from both Telikom and bmobile.

Kumul Telikom Holdings Limited deputy chairman Rueben Kautu said on Wednesday that they had also expected the demand to increase and so had plans to manage it.

Communication and Information Minister Rainbo Paita, pictured, said on Wednesday the reduction of internet rates by the two companies was part of the Government’s plan to offer better services to the people.
He said it should promote “higher and more efficient communication among our citizens”.

“On average internet prices have been reduced by 70 to 80 per cent.
“There are permanent price changes and not just a one-off campaign.”
Meanwhile, Digicel, the other telecommunications company, has not changes its prices.

Senior vice-president and chief sales officer Lorna McPherson told The National that all their plans and pricings were available in their stores and on the company website for all customers to see.
She said they had no further updates.

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