Callers to tsunami areas to get money back

Telecom will credit its customers for the cost of phonecalls made to tsunami-affected regions in Asia.

The credit applies to direct dial calls made from home phones to landlines and cellphones.

Telecom public affairs manager John Goulter said telecommunications services were stressed -- and in some cases down altogether -- in parts of affected countries, but people were having more success phoning through to larger centres and capital cities.

Mr Goulter said callers needed to be patient when attempting to call affected areas.

An 0900 number was also operating where an automatic $20 donation to Red Cross would be added to the customers' next Telecom bill.

Mr Goulter said a usual administration fee of about 70 cents for the service was being waived.

Credits for calls to South Asia would apply to calls made from Boxing Day until January 4.

- NZPA