Basseterre, St. Kitts: Today, Monday 12^th February, marks a telecoms milestone in St. Kitts & Nevis with the introduction of Cheap Chat.  Cheap Chat, an unlimited local fixed to fixed calling plan has become available as an option to Cable & Wireless' fixed line customers.  Available at a cost of EC$25 the package also includes voicemail and call waiting.

Asked why it was important to introduce this service at this time, VP Regulatory and SME, Mrs. Sheila DeSilva said that this was an option that was being explored for a very long time.  "Following the regulation of the telecoms market a few years ago the local call pricing structure was always an issue of discussion.  Having become accustomed to the then flat rate of 20 cents per call for many years perhaps it was difficult to adjust to the per minute rate pricing even with the inclusion of free minutes.  We are therefore very happy that we are in a position now to provide a flat rate to our customers."

The service that is targeted at Residential Customers only, requires them to sign up for a minimum of one year.  However, residential customers will have the option of remaining on the existing pricing plan which also includes a bolt on of free minutes. 

"Admittedly, there may be persons for whom the current per minute plan is adequate and whose monthly spend on fixed line to fixed line calls may be less than $25.  One would therefore understand the need to sign up for the service as opposed to applying it across the board," Mrs. DeSilva further clarified.

Customers interested in the service should note that the service does not apply to fixed to mobile calls, but fixed to fixed calls only.