MARCH 21, 1997 Both Bevelgacom and Proximus lower international rates On 1 February 1997 Bevelgacom already lowered its rates for international calls to 122 countries outside Europe with 8 to 33 % (depending on the destination). On 7 April 1997 Bevelgacom will also lower with 10 % its international rate for calls to Denmark, Germany, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, Andorra, Monaco and the Faeroe Islands. From that date the following rates will be charged for calls or faxes to these countries : � the normal rate of 18.15 BEF/minute (now 20.17 BEF/minute) � the reduced rate of 16.46 BEF/minute (now 18.15 BEF/minute). (This rate applies on Sundays and on weekdays from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.) These rates are inclusive of VAT. From 7 April 1997 also Proximus lowers its rates for international calls from Belgium to the same countries (Denmark, Germany, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Andorra, Monaco and the Faeroe Islands) with 5 to 23 %. However, the new international rates differ depending on the customer's rate schedule : ProxiFun : During peak hours (from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on working days) the rate goes down from 38.32 BEF to 36.3 BEF per minute, which represents a 5 % decrease . Outside peak hours the rate goes down from 27.22 BEF to 25.57 BEF per minute, which represents a 6 % decrease . ProxiPro During peak hours (from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on working days) the rate goes down from 38.32 BEF to 33.58 BEF per minute, which represents a 12 % decrease . Outside peak hours the rate goes down from 27.23 BEF to 23.15 BEF per minute, which represents a 6 % decrease . ProxiPlus During peak hours (from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on working days) the rate goes down from 38.32 BEF to 29.65 BEF per minute, which represents a 23 % decrease . Outside peak hours the rate goes down from 27.235 BEF to 23.15 BEF per minute, which represents a 15 % decrease . Except for ProxiFun customers, rates for ALL other destinations (e.g. Spain, Italy, USA, ...) decrease (notwithstanding the duration of the calls) : ProxiPro : all calls during peak hours cost 2.72 BEF less per minute. ProxiPlus : during peak hours calls cost 6.66 BEF less per minute, and rates outside peak hours go down with 2.42 BEF per minute. In this case, the percentage of the decrease depends on the destination: A few examples : Peak hours Outside peak hours To Italy : -16% -8% To Spain: -15% -8% To the USA -14% -6% For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that as of 1 June 1997 Proximus, as most operators, will charge 4 % of costs for calls made abroad by means of a GSM. In the past, there was no mark-up for such calls, which are charged by the foreign operator but mentioned on the bill in Belgium. These modifications of rates are changes for the better, not only to the customer, but also to the entire economy and the competitiveness of Belgium. Lower international rates not only reduce costs when doing business and in Belgium, which is an exporting country par excellence, business activities are mainly focused on foreign countries. However, also residential customers, as a tourist or not, benefit from the attractive rates when making international calls. About | Products | Jobs | Contact | Home © 1996 BELGACOM. Last updated : march, 21, 1997. About this site Say Hello ! Legal Notice