Telstra predicts Christmas SMS will 'œbreak records' again

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Tuesday, 23 December 2008 05:41

Opinion and Analysis

Telstra’s Jenny Young continues: “Dedicated Telstra staff will be on hand to take Triple 0 calls. We’ll also help activate tens of thousands of Pre-paid phones with Christmas morning calls to our Pre-paid call centre busiest between 6.00am and 9.00am so avoid this time of you can.
 
“Around half a million International Direct calls will be made and we’re providing information on the best times to call overseas destinations including Asia, UK, Europe, New Zealand, USA and Canada,” Ms Young said.
 
I wonder how much extra those staff are being paid to postpone their own Christmas celebrations to help Telstra customers? Still that’s no bad thing – in times of economic crisis I’m sure the extra money is coming in handy and all those Telstra customers in need of help will be appreciative of the fact help is but a phone call away. Even on Christmas Day!

Telstra has also advised of its “special limited Christmas offers, including free Telstra Pre-paid wireless broadband packs by redemption, normally valued at $149, with the purchase of Nokia E51, Samsung U900T or F480T on selected two year plans”.

Details can be found at Telstra shops or online at Telstra’s “Special Offers” website. 
 
Telstra’s BigPond division is also spreading the Christmas cheer with some “mp3 music gifts and vouchers from $10, $20 and $50 that can be personalised and sent via mobile phones on Christmas Day,” available from BigPond’s Music site.

Telstra is also plugging its “Christmas ringtones, wallpapers and other downloads” for mobile phones, available at its “Mobile Fun” website. 
 
So, what about those recommended times for calling loved ones overseas? Here they are:
 
UK and Europe
Recommended time to call (AEDT*): before 8am or between 4pm and 6pm
Busiest time to avoid: 6pm - midnight
Time difference (between AEDT and called): UK: AEDT minus 11 hours, Europe: AEDT minus 9 to 10 hours
 
New Zealand
Recommended time to call (AEDT*): before 7am or between 1pm and 7pm
Busiest time to avoid: 7am - 1pm
Time difference (between AEDT and called): AEDT plus 2 hours
 
Asia
Recommended time to call (AEDT*): before 7pm
Busiest time to avoid: 7pm - midnight
Time difference (between AEDT and called): AEDT minus 1 - 4 hours
 
USA and Canada
Recommended time to call (AEDT*): before 8am or between 2pm and 6pm
Busiest time to avoid: 8am - noon
Time difference (between AEDT and called): East Coast AEDT minus 16 hours, West Coast AEDT minus 19 hours
 
* Australian Eastern Daylight Time - NSW, Victoria, ACT, Tasmania

Have a Merry Christmas – and expect an announcement from Telstra close to or on New Year’s Eve about how SMS text messaging records will be broken yet again!