PHONE COMPANIES LAUNCH NEW BUSINESS CALLING CARD
By Adnews Staff
The Stentor alliance of Canadian telephone companies launched a new business calling card last week that allows potential clients to get in touch with companies while avoiding long distance charges. Called the Advantage Call-Me service, the new feature permits cardholders to call one specific number at no charge to themselves. Instead, the person or company issuing the card and receiving the calls will pay any long distance charges. Bell Canada was the only alliance member to introduce the card last week. BC TEL is expected to follow suit by the end of the month, with other Stentor members rolling out the service throughout the remainder of the year. The Stentor group is billing the product as a great way to reward special clients, or generate new business contacts by giving them an incentive to get in touch with the issuer of the card. Because the cards give only one contact number, the alliance says the chances of any fraud occurring are minimal. Calls made using the new cards are eligible for Advantage Savings rates and discounts. Bell officials were unavailable to comment on advertising plans for the card. Advertising for the company is done by Cossette Communication-Marketing and BBDO Canada, both of Toronto. In addition to Bell and BC TEL, Stentor includes Island Tel, Manitoba Telecom Services, Maritime Tel & Tel, NBTel, NewTel Communications, NorthwesTel, Quebec Telephone, SaskTel and TELUS.