Providers waive fees for phone calls to Japan

Staff report

Time Warner Cable, AT&T and Verizon Wireless are among phone-service providers offering free calls to Japan in the wake of the recent earthquake.

All calls placed by Time Warner Cable digital- phone customers to Japan will be free through April 15. The program includes both residential and business-class digital- phone customers and will be retroactive for all calls placed March 11.

Time Warner Cable digital-phone customers who are making calls to Japan during the eligible period do not need to make any changes to their accounts to take advantage of this program. This program will cover any Time Warner Cable digital- phone subscriber making a direct call to Japan. Calls to operators or directory assistance will continue to be charged at the usual rate.

All Verizon Wireless post-paid customers will receive free calling to Japan from March 11 through April 10. Post-paid customers are those who receive a monthly bill from the company. In addition, Verizon Wireless post-paid customers in the U.S. will receive free text and multimedia messaging to Japan for the same time period.

Additionally, Verizon Prepaid Phone Card charges for all long-distance calls placed to Japan from the United States also will be waived from March 11 until April 10.

AT&T wireless postpaid customers will not be charged for international long-distance usage from the U.S. and Puerto Rico to Japan or text messages to Japan from March 11 to March 31.

During that time, residential wireline customers also can seek credits for up to 60 minutes of direct-dial calling to Japan.

Sprint is waiving its text- message fees when customers text donations to organizations participating in relief efforts. Customers can:

Text “REDCROSS” to “90999” to donate $10 on behalf of the American Red Cross.

Text “TSUNAMI” to “50555” to donate $10 on behalf of Convoy of Hope, Inc.

Text “WAVE” to “50555” to donate $10 on behalf of the World Relief Corp. of the National Association of Evangelicals.

Text “JAPAN” or “QUAKE” to 80888 to donate $10 on behalf of The Salvation Army.