British Telecommunications Plc yesterday yesterday eliminated the higher price band for long-distance inland calls beyond 35 miles – and Mercury Communications Ltd, squeezed these days by the regulator’s stiff demands on British Telecom, immediately responded: the near monopoly reckons that the new rules will mean savings of up to 25% on the price of many long-distance calls, because about 72% of all long-distance calls in the UK will be brought into the lower price band from the end of the month and the cost of a three-minute call in the higher price band between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday will drop to 30 pence from 40 pence; Mercury will also cut its long-distance calls by abolishing its B rate price band, but only for residential customers; a new package for business customers will come into effect shortly thereafter.
