BELL DROPS OVERSEAS RATES
By Adnews Staff
Bell Canada has reduced its international rates for consumer and business customers. Consumers enrolled in the FirstRate plan will be able to call the United Kingdom for 24 cents-a-minute, a reduction from 38 cents-per minute. Calls to Italy will cost 49 cents-a-minute, a drop from 76 cents. Philippines calls will cost 72 cents, down from 94 cents. The reduced rates are valid from Monday to Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., and all weekend from 6 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Monday. The price reductions will be promoted using TV ads and direct mail done by Leo Burnett Co. of Toronto. In addition, Bell is targeting the Portuguese, Italian, South Asian and Chinese communities with TV, print and radio ads created by LLP Advertising of Toronto.
Separately, Bell has reduced overseas rates for its business customers, offering flat rates to 62 destinations outside Canada and the U.S. For example, calls to France are 49 cents-a-minute, the United Kingdom for 28 cents and Hong Kong for 43 cents. Bell is still finalizing its advertising plans for this program.