IDD rates at fraction of the cost

A COMPANY claiming to offer Hong Kong's cheapest international phone rates will make its services available from next Monday.

Grandcode, a Hong Kong-based company which was formed in April, said it could almost halve the cost of calls to the United States and 27 other countries, including Japan, Britain and Australia.

A one-minute call to the United States would cost $3.98 - a 54 per cent saving on peak and 43 per cent reduction for off-peak rates offered by Hongkong Telecom. It applies the same rate around-the-clock and is available for stationary phones, cellular phones, fax machines and modems.

Managing director Barry Wong said it was primarily aimed at small to medium-sized companies, but that individuals would be eligible to subscribe.

There would be a minimum monthly maintenance fee of $193 per line.

charged regardless of whether the subscriber's calls were more or less than this amount.