Farm organisations sign up communications packages

THE two main farming organisations have gone head-to-head with competing offers of “value for money” communications deals for their farmer members and their families.

IFA and ICMSA want their members to sign up to the new services which they have separately negotiated with telecommunications service providers at discounted rates, compared to standard phone charges.

IFA claim to have more than 2,000 of their members already switched from their existing phone service to IFA Telecom, which was launched a few weeks ago, offering cheaper rates for local, national, mobile and international calls made from their home phones.

Last week ICMSA launched their Direct Dial Telecom service for their members, providing the same range of options from home lines, and claiming that they had an even “better value” package for their members than the IFA.

Many farmers switching their calls from Eircom to the two new services have been contacted by Eircom, who claim they can match or better the IFA or ICMSA deals, with their Eircom Gold Option package.

Allegations that some farmers have been told by Eircom that they could experience difficulties in having line faults repaired if they switch their calls have not been confirmed.

The Commission for Communications Regulation, which oversees the electronic communications industry, has confirmed to IFA that because Eircom will continue to be paid line rental, they are obliged to repair line faults.

And unless a fault is repaired within 48 hours, Eircom could be liable to pay compensation in the form of two months of free line rental.

IFA Telecom offers local calls at 3.75 cent per minute and national calls at 4c per minute during the daytime, and 1.26c per minute and 2.5c per minute respectively in the evening, with 1.26c per minute charged in both categories at week-ends. There is a minimum charge of 4.75c per call.

ICMSA Direct Dial Telecom is charging 3.35c per minute for local and national calls during peak hours, dropping to 1.26c per minute for off-peak and week-end calls. There is a minimum charge per call of 2.35c.

Eircom’s Gold Option Package offers up to 350 minutes of free local call time and internet connection, plus a 30% discount option on national calls, and some concessions on mobile call charges.

The ICMSA service is available through Direct Debit only.

The Direct Debit option is preferred by the IFA, but they will also sign up members who can pay through An Post’s Bill Pay or by cheque.