Internet Dumping
Billing
Charges for calls to 132xxx and 0800 numbers
Telephones and Power Failure
Call Barring
Credit Management
ISDN

Internet Dumping

What is Internet Dumping?

Internet dumping is the practice whereby you are disconnected from the telephone line that normally connects your computer to your Internet Service Provider and reconnected (dumped), often without your consent, to a new number (usually an international number) that has a higher call charge rate.

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How does it happen?

It generally happens when you access certain websites. Such websites induce you to click on an element (a hotlink or a pop up box) in the web page that automatically disconnects and reconnects your computer to the high call charge number. While some Internet sites do require you to give permission before transferring you to a high call charge number, many do not.

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What sort of sites should I be wary of?

Internet dialers are often linked with pornographic and adult content websites, but may also be found on gambling, games and music sites as well.

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How do I know if I have been dumped?

• You receive an unexpectedly high telephone bill with charges to an unknown International number.

• An unfamiliar short-cut icon appears on your desktop.

• Unexpected 'dialler.exe' files appear on your computer's hard drive.

• You cannot send emails while you are online.

What can I do to protect against Internet Dumping?

• Bar access to international numbers on your telephone line.

• Always read the messages on your computer screen including terms and conditions before you click 'YES' or 'OK'.

• Install anti-virus software that blocks International Direct Dial access.

• Install soft ware that can prevent automatic downloads, monitor websites accessed by your computer or filter Internet content and materials.

• Set up password protection for access to your computer and the Internet.

• Ensure that all other users of your computer are educated about the risks posed by certain websites.

• Put long expiry dates on the "Internet History" folder in your browser, so dumped calls can be traced.

• Check the dial-up box to ensure your settings are correct before you connect to the Internet.

• Turn off your computer and disconnect the modem when not in use.

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How does it happen?

"Customers Choose which websites they access on the Internet - it is their choice and Telecom Fiji merely records details for billing purposes. Thus, the international telephone charges must stand as recorded"

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Billing

What calls am I billed for?
You are charged only for calls that are answered, which include calls to any of the following:

• Another person
• An answering machine
• A Telecom recorded information service for example, the time information service
• A fax machine
• A switchboard (PABX) which after having answered, transfers your call to an extension which may or may not answer
• A data modem or a call diversion machine
• Diverted calls which are answered (for example: to a mobile service or VoiceBank)
• A domestic or personal security alarm service or CTI application

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When am I not charged?

You will not be charged for:

• Calls that are not answered with exception to some international calls, where calls are charged for ring time or call routing.
• Calls where the line is busy (engaged) or congested
• Calls to Freecall 0800 numbers (unless you are calling from a mobile phone or prepaid card services)
• Reverse charge calls (initiated from your service)

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Can a call be charged if it does not get through?

No, Telecom Fiji only charge for calls that are answered. However at times it may seem as though you have been charged for a call that didn’t get through. What can happen is:

• The person you wish to contact is not available and the call is quickly hung up
• A wrong number is called then quickly hung up
• You leave a short message on an answering machine, then forget about it (In the above cases where you have called long distance, short duration calls of only a few seconds will appear on your account, which may seem confusing at first, but they are bona fide charges for the time you were on that call.)
• A fax call is answered by the receiving fax machine but the document does not transmit due to a problem with the receiving machine (such as being out of paper)
• The call is made to a fax machine or computer modem and then quickly hung up
• The call is answered but diverted by a switchboard or a call diverter to another number or extension, which then fails to answer
• The call is answered and placed in a queue or held at a switchboard. In each of these situations, the call is connected, so there is a charge.
• You may be charged by overseas networks for dialling a number even if your call is not answered.
• You may be charged for ring time by some overseas mobile network even though calls remain unanswered.

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What are the Rental and Activity Charges?

Rental and Activity charges are ongoing charges that normally appear on every bill you receive. These charges appear as “Rental” on your Telecom bill under the Rental and Activity section. Rental and Activity charges are charged in advance for the next bill period and can include items such as:

• Your Residential Telephone Line – this is related to the rental charge to Telecom for maintenance of the telephone line/cable into your home. Equipment Rental & covers the use and maintenance of Telecom supplied telephone equipment. It may include items such as your Telephone Handset.
• Any additional features or services such as Value Added Services charges and some network features.
• How much the charge is for depends on the service/equipment you have.

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What is an Itemised Bill?

An itemized bill provides full details of your timed calls, for example Trunk calls, Easytel calls and International Direct Dials, some Operator connected calls, information services and calls to mobile phones. It can also provide you with a fully itemized account of all your service and equipment charges. The call details sections on the bill will generally include:

• The date and time when you made the call
• The length of the call rounded up to the nearest decimal point
• Place called
• The number you called
• Call type
• The Charge basis
• Call savings
• VIP call charges after savings
• Call itemization can allow you to identify calls and allocate charges to other users of your phone. It also helps you understand your calling patterns.

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Why do I get a bill reminder message?

Telecom Fiji runs a bill reminder message two days before due date to remind customers to pay their bills and avoid unnecessary disconnection.

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What’s my best payment method to avoid disconnections?

Post office and phone banking payments must be done two days before bill is due to ensure that disconnection does not occur. This allows for time to make transactions to TFL.

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Charges for calls to 132xxx and 0800 numbers

What is the cost of a call to a 0800 number?

Calls made to a 0800 number from a standard wireline telephone or an EasyTel telephone are free to the caller.

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Can I get a 0800 or 132xxx number for my business?

0800 and 132xxx can provide a single nationwide point of contact for your customers. You can nominate where calls are answered based on the call origin, the time or day and divert overflow calls to alternative locations during busy periods. FREECALL 112233 for more information.

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What’s the difference between 0800 and 132xxx numbers?

The only significant difference is how the call cost is divided. The cost of calls to 0800 number is paid by the business owner of that number and is therefore free to the caller. A portion of the cost of calls to a 132xxx number is paid by the caller. 132xxx and 0800 numbers are a good way to attract business from anywhere in Fiji.

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Telephones and Power Failure

Do phones need to be connected to the power supply?

Many phones these days can have additional features such as hands-free communications, calling number display and recorded messages. Many phones with these features need to be connected to the household electricity supply as well as being connected to the telephone network.

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What happens if there is a power failure? If your telephone needs power from the household electricity supply, you should be aware that if there is a power failure in your home your telephone may not work. A basic phone set will not be affected.

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Call Barring

If you live in shared accommodation, have regular visitors passing through or family members who are likely to access such services, you might be concerned about the unauthorized use of your telephone. However, it is possible to control your phone bill by activating call barring. Call barring is a facility that may be used on your telephone service to prevent unauthorized access to premium services from your telephone. In most cases, call barring is simple to arrange. To have a bar activated on your phone, contact Telecom and ask to bar access to the premium rate numbers that you wish to block. Premium rate numbers include: International numbers; National long distance; and Mobile numbers You can choose to be barred from using all premium services or just some types, for example, barred from mobile numbers only. You can bar access through Telecom Fiji at a service fee. Call barring does not work if a reverse charge call is accepted by anyone using your phone. If access to barred services is still needed, a personal identification number can be used to restrict the use of such services to authorized users. With this type of service you can still gain access to numbers in the barred group by using the Personal Identification Number (PIN) before making the call. However, the bar must be reactivated at the end of the call. Calls to the premium services blocked by the bar on your account are still available until the bar is reactivated.

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Credit Management

What is the Credit Check Policy?

In an effort to assist customers in budgeting their telephone bills, Telecom Fiji has in place a credit check policy for all it’s new customers. The policy requires that all new customers fill out a form that will establish the customer’s credit viability and indicate the type of telecommunication service the customer will be able to afford. This would ensure that the customer is provided with a telecommunication service that suits them financially and best reflects their communication needs.

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Does Telecom Fiji require a security deposit?

Telecom Fiji’s business and expatriate customers are required to pay a security deposit or bond of $200 and $500 respectively before connecting to a telephone service.

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