Media Release

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

The next BIG THING has arrived

Slingshot is pleased to announce the launch of their new unbundled voice and broadband services which have been designed to create a user experience that will not be matched by competitors.

Slingshot’s General Manager, Mark Callander says, the services launched today reflect our ongoing commitment to developing the NZ communications market and delighting our customers.  As the name of the new service suggests, the next BIG THING has been designed offer a range of features that are unparalleled in the home market at low monthly prices.

Callander continues “the entry level package, THE BEGINNERS THING, starts at just $69.95 and includes broadband services, homeline and over 20 Easyphone features.  That’s right, standard services such as voicemail, call forward, do not disturb are all part of the entry level plan at no extra cost.  In addition to this, customers will benefit from features such as Wake Up Call, Caller Tunes, Voicemail to Email, Remote Call Back and much more.”  

“Our focus over the next few months is migrating existing customers that already have voice and broadband services with Slingshot to the next BIG THING packages, however there has also been high demand from customers new to Slingshot wanting the service” says Callander.

The next BIG THING is now available in Auckland from the 40 exchanges that have been unbundled by Vodafone with other regions expected in the New Year.

For more information, check out www.slingshot.co.nz/bigthing

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Mark Callander

General Manager

Slingshot

Established in 1996, CallPlus is New Zealand’s third largest fixed line, voice and internet company offering a full range of communication services in both business and residential markets through its CallPlus and Slingshot brands.  The company has a strong focus on innovation, service delivery and building customer value which has contributed to the significant customer and revenue growth over the last five years.  For more information visit www.callplus.co.nz and www.slingshot.co.nz

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The extract below provides an example of what life can be like for Slingshot customers, it’s called a day in the life of the next BIG THING…

Monday, 10 November 2008

I’ve been late for work the last few Monday mornings, so thought I’d try the Wake Up Call on my new service from Slingshot.  Like clockwork, the phone rings at 7am waking me. It’s going to be the first time I’ve been on time in ages.

Before leaving home I check the downloads scheduled overnight, and they’re all done.  With Free Off Peak Data on my Slingshot broadband it doesn’t cost me a cent.  

On the way to work I get a call from my Mum reminding me about dinner tomorrow night.  Even though she called on my home number, the Locate Me service from Slingshot means I never miss a call – it automatically rings my mobile and business direct line to track me down.   And if I can’t answer, any messages left on my home phone will be automatically sent to my work and home email address which means I can access them anywhere, anytime.  I couldn’t imagine how I got by before getting the Better Voicemail service.

At lunch time I organise a conference call with two old varsity friends who I catch up with once a month.  Using the Group Chat service we can all remotely call my conference number (my home number), enter a secure pin and enjoy some three way sledging just like the good old days.   The time goes too quickly and before you know it we all have to go back to work.

After work while walking through the front door I hear the phone ringing - I can’t get to it in time.  Even though there was no message left, I simply dial *69 to see Who Called Me.  Turns out it’s an old friend living in London who I haven’t heard from in ages.  I call her back and we talk for nearly 2 hours.  I’m trying to budget at the moment so went online to see how much the call cost me which was just $3!  That is one of the amazing things with Slingshot, any calls you make can be seen online straight away – still don’t know how they can do that, but it’s great.

The home phone goes again, I know its mum because of the Call Screening I’ve set-up so I decide not to answer it.  I go and have some time out and set the Do Not Disturb service on my phone by dialling *78.  Any calls will go now to my Better Voicemail and I can get them later.

While online I notice an email from Slingshot telling me I’ve hit my monthly data cap. Even though my bill period is about to end I buy more because Slingshot offers Data Banking which means any additional data won’t expire for 12 months – back to Full Speed again and loving it!

Where do the hours go, before I know it it’s time for bed.  I change the Wake Up Call to give me an extra 15 minutes in the morning.  I also decide to quickly change the Caller Ring Tunes on my phone to keep it fresh and give my friends a surprise with the latest Flight of the Concords track.

Before dosing off I start to wonder what my life would be like without Slingshot, because they sure have made it A BETTER PLACE!