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.