Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Fiji’s FINTEL to restore international phone numbers

Posted at 00:03 on 06 August, 2009 UTC

The interim government in Fiji says the communications company FINTEL has agreed to immediately restore access to 00 international phone numbers.

FINTEL had blocked the 00 number access to certain countries, including some in the Pacific.

That followed the liberalisation of international access last month, which resulted in losses being sustained on the costs of carrying, switching and terminating calls, particularly in Pacific Island countries.

But the Attorney General and Minister for Communication, Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum says that after meeting with FINTEL, the company has now agreed to restore access.

He says FINTEL and Telecom Fiji have also agreed to finalise a commercial arrangement within a week.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum says consumers should be aware that pricing of international calls is dependent on players outside Fiji.

But he says that currently Fiji with its various providers gives access to extremely competitive rates.