In an ongoing effort to raise the standard of service, BTC and the Telecommunications Commission recently introduced a new Customer Service Credit Programme.

Under the programme, BTC customers will receive credit on their accounts if their telephone services are not restored within a specific period.

Effective February 1 this year, BTC residential customers will have $26 removed from bills if phone services are not restored within seven days; for single-line business customers whose lines are out of service for more than two days the reduction will be $32.

"BTC recognises that to stay competitive we must provide top-quality service in a timely fashion," said BTC CEO, Francis Mussenden.

"In order to achieve this goal, we at BTC will adjust the way we approach service delivery to our customers."

While customers will see the credits applied to their accounts after the service interruption, BTC also outlined several exemptions from customers receiving the rebated access charge.,

They include: actions of the customer resulting in service interruptions, customer lines disconnected for non-payment, and service interruptions caused by third party infrastructure or excavation.

"Our goal is to provide the best quality product and the best quality service to the consumer," Telecommunications Commission director Greg Swan said.

"I have always believed that BTC has the knowledge and expertise to achieve the highest level of service," said Mr. Mussenden. "My key mandate as CEO is to correct any service delivery issues which have plagued BTC in the past."