WASHINGTON-A few carriers in Latin America, such as in Colombia and Bolivia, have solved the problem of employees making personal calls on the their company’s cellular phone-and budget-with an incoming-only cellular plan and calling party pays program.
Although each company gives the service a different name, the concept is the same: The customer can receive all calls, but cannot make any. Because most countries in Latin America feature CPP, it is an economic and efficient option for those running a business or worried about cost control. Customers can receive an unlimited number of calls for the same monthly price.
“Employers can communicate with out-of-the-office staff, farmers with their workers in the field, and parents with their children, without worrying about high phone bills,” said Cesar Castro, product and business director for Comcel in Colombia. Comcel introduced Beepercel in 1995 to serve a segment of the population that did not have access to regular cellular service. It costs about $20 a month, while an average regular cellular plan would cost subscribers about $18/month plus airtime.
Comcel recently launched Beepercel Plus, which allows outgoing calls to only one number, previously programmed. These calls are charged by airtime.
lvaro Ramirez, market service manager for Celum
