By Hayden Poole
Several telcos today announced they are offering free calls from their New Zealand network to the areas affected by yesterday's Tsunami.
By mid afternoon 2degrees, Vodafone, Telecom and Orcon had all jumped on board offering free calls from their New Zealand networks.
The offers were met with concerns that the deals may cause overloading on local networks.
2degrees and chief executive officer, Eric Hertz, says a five minute cap on calls should help avoid the risk of overloading.
“We have put a five minute cap on the duration of the calls to ensure that everyone can have access to the service. All we ask is that people limit their time on calls so that everyone who wants to make a call can get through”, said Mr Hertz.
Shortly after the 2degrees announcement 3 News spoke to Vodafone’s External communications manager, Paul Brislen, who said they will be launching a similar offer from 6pm tonight.
“We are offering free calls from Vodafone mobiles and landlines to the affected areas for 48 hours – with no time limit,” said Mr Brislen
Telecom responded to 2degrees and Vodafone by offering free landline calls to Samoa from October 1 until midnight Friday October 2. Calls to Tonga will also not be charged from midnight Wednesday to midnight Friday.
Telecom says its 7500 NZ staff are collecting funds and the company will match what its staff raise.
New Zealanders wishing to make donations are encouraged to contact the Red Cross on 0900 31 100 to make an automatic $20 donation.
The Deals:
2degrees:
Free mobile calls to Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga, from 12pm October 1 until October 15.
Vodafone:
Free calls to Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga from 6pm October 1, until 6pm October 3.
Telecom:
Free landline calls to Samoa from October 1 until midnight Friday October 2.
Free calls to Tonga from midnight Wednesday to midnight Friday.
Orcon:
Free calls to landline and mobile numbers in Western and American Samoa until Sunday.
3 News