Fiji's local call rate compared to other Pacific Island countries, clearly shows TFL having the cheapest rates with per call billing compared per minute billing by all other countries.

This is the response by TFL to the Consumer Council of Fiji after they raised concerns about Telecom Fiji's decision to increase the charges for local calls from 12 cents to 16 cents per call as it will further increase the financial burdens of consumers in Fiji.

TFL's Marketing Manager Vanessa Kilner said the Consumer Council in an email to TFL with subsequent phone calls requesting the clarification regarding the increment of local charges, from $0.12 to $0.16 effective 1st May, was responded to, by highlighting various issues including, higher cost of doing business in maintaining and upgrading TFL services, rising inflation rate which today stands at 9.41 per cent, and the fact that TFL's previous call rate has been stagnant at 12c (flat rate) per call since 1996 when TFL was privatized.

Kilner added that if TFL were to compound the yearly inflation rate on the 12c(flat rate), the result would clearly far exceed the new local call 16c flat rate.

Kilner said at no time, did the Consumer Council put the allegations of unfair trade practices to TFL, adding TFL is fully compliant with the Consolidated Fair Trading Decree, the Commerce Act, the Commerce (Amendment) Act and continues to deal with its consumers fairly and transparently.