In a move to make dialing locally from payphones easier Telstra OTC has introduced
new U.S $2 and U.S.$5 phone cards which are now on sale throughout Phnom Penh.
Calls in the capital made with the cards will be charged at a rate of U.S.$ .05 per
minute. A $2 card would thus be good for 40 one minute calls.
Telstra has released 4,000 of each of the two new cards to 17 sales outlets in the
capital, most of which are located in hotels and restaurants.
The card can be purchased with either dollars or riles at most sales locations.
There are currently 43 payphones operating in Phnom Penh. Calls from payphones can
be made to the mobile phone systems in operation-Camshin, Samart or Camtel-the U.N.
mobile and normal networks, and all DPT lines, not to mention internationally.
Working with the Department of Posts and Telecommunications (DTP), Telstra plans
to install and additional 47 payphones within the coming months. Many off the new
payphones will be installed at DPT operated Public Call Offices, replacing the distinctive
red phones currently in operation.
"The new phones are being installed in more accessible places for Khmers rather
than just those frequented by expats," said Richard Flavel of Telstra.
In a related development DPT is expected to release shortly the specifications for
the management of the UNTAC-installed phone system nationwide, which has been out
of operation since UNTAC's departure but is still in place. Once a contract has been
awarded; the system will add an additional 150 phones to a "national grid"
throughout the country. It is expected that this system will be operational early
next year.
