CallPlus to buy back unused minutes, data

Kiwi business telco CallPlus has announced plans to buy back unused minutes and data from its customers, saying too many kiwis are overspending unnecessarily on their mobile plans.

In a survey of 330 business owners commissioned by CallPlus, 51% responded that they didn’t analyse their mobile bills in great detail, and 67% said they hadn’t considered what unused minutes and data were costing their bottom line.

61% of respondents said they had unused minutes at the end of every month.

In response, CallPlus has offered to pay its customers 10 cents for every unused minute of calling, and 10 cents for every unused megabyte of data.

For example, a customer on a basic $40 per month plan receives 100 minutes of calling and 100MB of data, as well as 2500 text messages. Under the new scheme, if that business only used half of its calling and data, it would receive $10 back at the end of the month.

On the most expensive scheme, customers pay $130 for 500 minutes and 250MB, plus 2500 text messages; if they only used half of that, they would receive $37.50 back.

Kelvin Hussey, general manager of CallPlus, says the company already encourages users to be thorough checking their mobile bills at the end of each month to make sure they aren’t overpaying.

"If you don’t use it then why should you pay for it?” Hussey says.

"We are proud to lead the way and put money back in our customers’ pockets, unlike other operators who charge the moment you go a second or byte over what your contract allows, but will happily keep quiet when they owe you.”

Go here for more details.

What do you think of the scheme? Do you make sure you use your minutes, or do you always have extra? Post your comments below.