PRICE OF LOCAL PHONE CALLS RISE, INTERNATIONAL CALLS CHEAPER

ZAGREB, April 30 (Hina) - Croatian telecommunications (HT) increased the price of domestic telephone calls by 30 per cent, while the telephone subscription decreased by 33 per cent. Prices for Cronet mobile phone services were reduced by 20 per cent, some international telephone calls and HiNet services (Internet access) were also decreased. The new prices of HT services will be applied as of May 1, HT Management Board chairman, Ivica Mudrinic, told a news conference Friday. Explaining the change in prices, Mudrinic said the company must adjust to the regulations of European countries in the price and quality of service. He added a programme of total harmonisation was being drafted. Mudrinic said the price of local telephone calls rose because the prices hitherto had been too low, and had been supported by revenues from international phone calls, which is unwanted in the future business of Croatian Telecommunications. The HT reduced the price of international telephone calls for certain countries, and a tariff has been established for all international calls with a 25 per cent reduction from 7pm to 7am. A minute of calls with Austria has decreased by 38 per cent, with Scandinavian countries and Spain by 40 per cent, Canada and the United States by 37 per cent and with countries of Latin America 50 per cent. A novelty is also international Internet roaming with 150 countries, which enables HiNet clients to access the Internet at 3,184 locations around the world at the price of local telephone calls. (hina) lml jn