"Talk is cheap ... talk is inexpensive," declared chairman of COJL, Winston Laidlaw.  He was speaking at the press launch held yesterday on the grounds of Pollyanna Caterers.

Cards of Jamaica says MoreTime "is specifically designed with affordability in mind; [with] the lowest rate to call overseas from Jamaica using ... a landline phone."  Each call - to the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States will cost $6.67 per minute.  The card will be offered in three denominations: $100, $200 and $400.

The company says that there will be no connection fee or third-party charges for using the card.  The managing director of Cards of Jamaica, Michael Wright, told the audience that the access to MoreTime is through a toll free line.  As long as the call is made from a landline, MoreTime will pay the connection fee.  "What you see is what you get ... a genuine rate," emphasised Mr. Wright.

The card can also be used from a cellphone, but the normal charges for calling a landline will be applicable.  And, for those persons travelling overseas, the card can also be used from the United States and Canada to call Jamaica.  However, the drawback is, as Mr. Wright acknowledged, "The per minute rates for calling to Jamaica are, of necessity, higher than calling out of Jamaica."

EXTENSIVE DISTRIBUTION

The business executive gave the assurance that the card will be readily available through an extensive distribution network.  "Distribution arrangements are in place to ensure that the cards will be available virtually everywhere in Jamaica [where] phone cards sold ... MoreTime cards will also be distributed electronically by Cool Cards."

Along with the 24-hour customer service call centre, consumers may also access the company's website to get a detailed call history.

Mr. Wright reflected that "In facilitating calls from [overseas] we will ... be contributing to the funding of the e-learning project being implemented by [the] Government to assist in its ongoing efforts to elevate the quality of education in Jamaica."

The guest speaker at the function, Ambassador Peter King, noted that the introduction of the MoreTime calling card comes at an opportune time.  "The timing couldn't be better for an overseas calling card that is affordable ... We're in a very dynamic telecommunications landscape."

Noting that it was part of the changing telecommunications policy of the Government, Ambassador King said, "We've seen more choices for Jamaican consumers ... a great deal more of flexibility."  He suggested that affordable call alternatives such as MoreTime can be used to bridge the technological gap of the Jamaican Diaspora in North America and the United Kingdom.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20050602/business/business3.html