Telecom folds hand in phone card battle

By Louisa Cleave

Telecom has backed down on its refusal to replace unused phone cards in a major victory for consumers.

The telecommunications giant had staunchly opposed replacing the cards since January, when it announced a new $20 million payphone network. But yesterday - facing High Court action and at least 10 Disputes Tribunal court cases - it said it would offer an exchange programme from August 19 until January 1, 2000.

Magnetic strip cards can be sent freepost to Telecom with application forms available from Post Shops and Shell service stations.

Wellington phonecard collector David Harcourt, who spent $75,000 on legal fees to make Telecom give people the option of having their cards replaced or refunded, applauded the company for bowing to customer demand.

"It's an amazing win for the consumer."

Whangarei man Colin Edwards won the right to have Telecom refund him $19.50 in a David-and-Goliath battle which sparked at least 10 other small claims around the country.