What's a (Telstra) call connection fee?

[artforartssake]

I just signed up to the new Telstra home ph and internet package called the "Telstra Everyday Bundle" 

On the "Critical Information Summary" it tells me that all local and national (interstate) calls are free, which is what was told to me by the consultant who sold me the package.

However, a bit further down on the same sheet of paper, it lists the services that you have to pay for. These inc calls to mobiles and calls to 13 numbers - ok I understand that too, BUT what do they mean by a "call connection fee" of 45c?

Does that mean that everytime I make a call - any call to any number, be it local, mobile, int, interstate or whatever - there's a min chg of 45c? Surely that can't be right.That would mean that a call to a 13 number would cost 70c (35c basic chg + 45c "call connection chg") and all local calls would cost 45c

[krazy.kiwi]

I think it's for all calls except local and national calls.

I tried to look up the bundle you mentioned, but couldn't find it. I found a similar type one that specifies "call connection fee  45¢ (for calls other than local calls

and calls to Telstra mobiles)"  That plan says it has free local calls and free calls to Telstra mobiles.

I worked at Telstra many years ago and I remember there was a connection fee as well as the per minute rate.

[artforartssake]

thanks. my plan doesn't have free calls to Telstra mobs tho. It has free local and interstate calls only. Calls to all mobs are 30c a min subject to a max of $3

[cherry*135]

Telstra are expensive. You would be best to call Telstra and ask them exactly what calls that charge is applied to. Be prepared for a long wait on the phone...waiting for a 'consultant' to answer your questions

[mtnlane]

You can go on-line and talk to a consultant about you plan.  That enables you to keep a record of your conversation in the event that you have any future disputes with them regarding elements of your plan.

Remember to hit the option button to save a copy of your conversation.

[artforartssake]

thanks. I did a bit of research on Telstra's website.

The "Everyday Bundle" is apparently a new prod so it doesn't feature on the site yet BUT where "call connection fee" is defined in other plans it seems to mean only for calls to international numbers and mobiles

does that sound correct? 

[artforartssake]

finally managed to locate Telstra LiveChat! (via Google couldn't locate it on the Tel website!)

the answer is that the call connection fee only applies to int calls and calls to mobs, not to local, interstate or 13 and 1300 numbers.

so that settles it then, thanks for responding to my question

[krazy.kiwi]

Glad you found your answer 🙂

Pity they couldn't have written that fairly easy to explain piece in their contract though!

[artforartssake]

yep agreed,

anyway it seems like a decent contract and better than what I have now i.e. all local and interstate calls are free, messagebank and caller ID also inc at no extra chg.

Only paying for those hated 13 and 1300 numbers, (35c a call)  int calls and calls to mobs. 

Tot cost is 105 pesos per month & includes 100gb of internet as well