Telstra offers relief for customers affected by Middle East violence

Telstra will offer a telecommunications assistance package to customers who may be affected by unrest in the Gaza area.

In announcing the relief package today, Telstra Chief Executive Officer, Sol Trujillo, said the assistance would be in the form of free telephone calls from Telstra retail customers’ residential fixed lines (home phones) to the Gaza area.

“Telstra customers in Australia will be able to call free-of-charge from their home phones to check on the wellbeing of immediate family members in the Gaza area,” Mr Trujillo said.

This offer will apply for calls made from 12.00am AEST on Wednesday 7 January 2009, and finish 12.00am AEST on Thursday 15 January 2009. The offer applies to calls with the area code 0011 970 8.

“We appreciate that many of our customers are concerned about the welfare and wellbeing of their families in the region,” Mr Trujillo said.

“Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by the unrest and especially people who may have been displaced or lost loved ones.”

We ask that customers remain patient and keep calls brief, as the telecommunication networks in the Gaza area are likely to be under stress.