Cell phone companies 2degrees and Vodafone have launched special deals to allow free calls to the tsunami-hit islands.
Newcomer 2degrees is offering its customers free calls to Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga for the next two weeks, while Vodafone says that all calls to Samoa made from its mobiles and
landlines will be free for the next two days.
2degrees calls will be free up till to October 15, but only up to a five-minute cap.
2degrees chief executive Eric Hertz said the company recognised that "there will be many people trying to contact their friends and loved ones as a result of the tsunami. We want to do what we can to help and we feel that this is the best way to do it.
"Communication is a lifeline, a link to family and friends. It's a horrible being away from your family and loved ones during a crisis and 2degrees wants to offer people the opportunity to find some piece of mind.
Hertz said the five minute cap on call duration was to ensure that everyone could have access to the service.
" All we ask is that people limit their time on calls so that everyone who wants to make a call can get through", he said.
The Vodafone offer, which begins at 6pm tonight, means all calls to Samoa from its mobiles, both account and prepay and Vodafone landlines, will be free.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
