Primus Canada launches new prepaid home phone service - a first for Canadians

Available in Ontario and Quebec, new plan is first in Canada to offer real-time payment and billing for home phone

TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2012 /CNW/ - Home phone service has just become even more accessible for consumers in Ontario and Quebec, particularly for new Canadians with no credit history, as Primus Canada announced today that they are offering a new Prepaid Home Phone service.  Primus Canada is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PTGi (Primus Telecommunications Group, Inc.) NYSE:PTGI.

Plans start at $42.50/month with a range of features, including voice mail, call waiting and call display. Each plan includes low long distance rates and there is an optional long distance plan available with even better international rates.  Much like prepaid cell phone plans, customers choose a monthly plan and fees are charged daily.  Long distance calls are also billed in real time. This is a first for home phone in Canada as customers are paying as they go in 'real-time'.  Customers can easily check their balance right from their home phone to find out how much they have left in their account.

"Primus Prepaid Home Phone service offers customers another way to get a home phone - which, according to recent research commissioned by Primus Canada and conducted by Angus Reid, remains an essential service for over 80% of Canadians," says Rob Warden, Senior Vice President, Residential Services at Primus Canada. Most phone companies require a credit check before installing a home phone, but with Primus Prepaid Home Phone it's not necessary.  "This is a service that will appeal to consumers who prefer to pay with cash, those who are dealing with credit issues and new Canadians who have not yet established credit," he says. "Our prepaid service allows consumers, regardless of their credit status, to set up and pay for their home phone conveniently with cash or a credit card."

Primus has partnered with Ukash and Now Prepay to enable customers to conveniently purchase Ukash vouchers across the country.

"Primus customers can get Ukash codes from any self-serve Now Prepay terminal found in retail locations such as convenience stores and gas stations across the country," says David Hunter, CEO at Ukash. "We're excited to partner with Primus Canada to offer their customers a convenient and flexible way to pay for their Prepaid Home Phone service."

Now Prepay is a division of leading automated transaction system software licensees VendTek. "We are delighted to be associated with Primus and Ukash in making home phone service a reality for many Canadians who may have previously had difficulties accessing  it" says Francois Chevallier, Chief Operating Officer, VendTek. "Our network of 15,000 locations makes it easy and convenient for customers to pre-pay for their services with whichever payment method they choose."

For more information on Primus Prepaid Home Phone, please visit primus.ca/prepaid.

About Primus Telecommunications Canada Inc.

Primus Telecommunications Canada Inc. is the largest alternative telecommunications service provider in Canada. Primus Canada offers a wide selection of consumer and business telecommunications services available nationwide including Home Phone, Internet, Long Distance, VoIP, Wireless, Hosting, Managed Services and Enterprise IP Telephony. Primus Canada is a wholly-owned subsidiary of McLean, Virginia-based Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated (NYSE: PTGI). Additional information is available at primus.ca.

About PTGi

PTGi (Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated) is a leading provider of advanced communication solutions, including, traditional and IP voice, data, mobile services, broadband Internet, collocation, hosting, and outsourced managed services to business and residential customers in the United States and Canada. PTGi is also one of the leading international wholesale service providers to fixed and mobile network operators worldwide. PTGi owns and operates its own global network of next-generation IP soft switches, media gateways, hosted IP/SIP platforms, broadband infrastructure, fiber capacity, and data centers located in Canada. Founded in 1994, PTGi is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.

About VendTek

VendTek develops and licenses automated transaction system software and supporting technologies. VendTek's customers, subsidiaries and its Now Prepay division use e-Fresh™ software to build electronic, prepaid services networks that enable consumers to purchase prepaid products and services via POS and self-serve terminals connected to a central server. This system creates significant value through improved efficiencies compared to a traditional distribution model. e-Fresh™ reduces shrinkage and inventory requirements for vendors while improving consumer access to prepaid products and services by completely eliminating physical cards and vouchers. VendTek has deployed its software around the world including Canada, United States, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. For further information please visit the Company's websites vendteksystems.com and nowprepay.com.

About Ukash

Ukash® is the Global e-Money Network and internationally recognised e-commerce cash payment method that enables consumers from anywhere in the world to shop, pay and play online safely, using cash. This secure payment method was developed to protect personal identity and financial information when making online transactions; reducing the threat of credit and debit card fraud for consumers and repudiations and charge-backs for retailers. Ukash® has no age limit, so consumers of all ages can make the most of safe payment online.

Ukash® vouchers are purchased with cash in retail outlets and issued online from the company's website. The unique 19 digit codes are then used to pay directly with cash on any of the thousands of websites that accept Ukash transactions worldwide.

Established in 2001 under the holding company Smart Voucher Ltd, Ukash® has grown to more than 420,000 physical points of purchase, and is available in more than 50 countries around the world in 6 continents. In 2008, Ukash established a strategic partnership with South African payments giant Blue Label Telecoms to develop the brand's services.

Ukash® is regulated by the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) and operates as one of only a small number of Electronic Money Institutions, a status that allows a single maximum online cash payment transaction of up to $250 CAD.  Further information is available at www.Ukash.com/ca

SOURCE: Primus Telecommunications Canada Inc.

Primus Canada Media Contact: 
Denise Gagnon
APEX Public Relations
[email protected]
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PTGI Media Contact: 
Mike Houghton
Communicreate
[email protected]
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