Telecom cellphone users in Australia overcharged

More than 8000 Telecom customers have been overcharged for using their cellphones to make calls while in Australia earlier this year.

The error affects customers who were across the Ditch between February 22 and March 31.

The overcharging applies to all phone calls made while the customers were in Australia (including retrieving voice messages) but not to text messaging or internet access.

Spokeswoman Sarah Berry said the error with the international roaming charges was picked up about 10 days ago.

At least 8410 customers were affected.

They were sent a letter this week about the issue.

Calls made from Australia to New Zealand cost $1.90 for the first minute and 97c thereafter, but Ms Berry said it was too early to say by how much customers had been overcharged.

While the difference is worked out, international roaming charges on all April bills have been held back. That means the overcharging should only appear on March bills.

Ms Berry said customers who have paid their March bills would get credits as soon as possible.

The correct April charges would appear on May bills: "We will make sure people are charged correctly and credits are provided.' Ms Berry said the error was made by the Australia carrier and inadvertently passed on to customers by Telecom.