Sure is concerned that Manx Telecom is penalising customers who make short mobile calls by charging them for time they do not use.

Last month, Manx Telecom changed its pricing structure so that Pay As You Go customers were charged for a minimum of one minute, even if their call was shorter.

From 1st November, Pay Monthly customers will receive the same treatment.

From that date, all MT mobile calls will be rounded up for the first minute, then in 30 second increments thereafter.  Sure charges for calls by the second, so customers only pay for the time they use.   

Mike Stanton (pictured), Country Manager of Sure Isle of Man, said, "Many people use their mobiles for making lots of very short calls, most of which last no more than 30 seconds, yet all MT customers are now being charged for a minimum of a minute by MT.

"While the difference in price will be a matter of pennies, those pennies mount up. MT is playing with prices; they say they’re reducing them, but customers will pay more for short calls.

"Because we only charge by the second, it is often cheaper to call a MT mobile from a Sure mobile than it is from an MT mobile!

"While we feel all competition is good and benefits islanders, we think that MT customers should be aware that they are being charged for time they don’t use."