Excel reveals 3-cent calling plan
Long-distance battle rages on
CHRISSY MOCH
Excel Communications brought the long-distance pricing war to an
all-time low today with the introduction of a 3-cent-per-minute pricing
plan.
Excel?s Three-Penny Plan undercuts the recently announced MCI
WorldCom and Sprint nickel dialing offers but attaches a $5.95
monthly service charge, which equals the highest monthly charge for
long-distance on the market today.
Similar to the offers from MCI WorldCom and Sprint, Excel?s
proposal has some limitations. The plan offers the discount rate
between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., including holidays, but interstate calls
outside those hours are 10 cents a minute. Intrastate rates vary
during off-peak times.
Moreover, customers must sign up between Oct. 15 and Dec. 31 to
qualify for the Three-Penny Plan, and no new enrollees will be added
after the Dec. 31 deadline.
The limited-time offer is an attempt to ?create momentum around the
plan,? said Steve Richards, executive vice president of product
management and marketing for Excel. ?It?s basically a charter offer
to get customers to sign up with us and create members around the
plan.?
The Three-Penny Plan, Richards added, fills out Excel?s
long-distance calling portfolio by adding a peak/off-peak pricing
plan to the company?s existing Dime Deal, which charges 10 cents
a minute for all state-to-state calls and a $1 monthly service
charges, and Simply Seven, which costs 7 cents per minute at all
times for a $4.95 monthly charge.
Excel?s Simply Seven Plan, released last year, is on par with the
7-cent per minute deal AT&T announced last week. AT&T
customers will be charged $5.95 per month for the service, with the
exception of those who also sign up for local long-distance from the
company, who will be charged $4.95 per month.
While Excel?s Simply Seven offers customers the simplicity of one
price at all times, and Dime Deal is aimed at those looking for a low
monthly charge, the new Three-Penny plan should appeal to
customers who are looking for a great value, Richards said. ?I would
challenge a customer to find a more attractive offer.? |
