AT&T of the Virgin Islands announced a new rate this week for local long-distance customers – seven cents a minutes 24 hours a day, every day.
Courtney Wynter, AT&T general manager, said the rate reflects the company's new policy of affording Virgin Islanders the same services that are available to mainland customers.
The rate is in effect now. However, until the V.I. Telephone Corp. completes implementation of a current equipment upgrade, customers will receive adjustment for the new rate on a post-billing basis. That is, AT&T spokeswoman Shelly DeChabert said, the bill they receive for the month just past will reflect billing at the old rate, but the following month's bill will show a deduction from the previous billing to make the adjustment to the new rate.
"The favorable response to the rate change has been overwhelming," DeChabert said. She declined to comment on any other plans AT&T has for changes in its Virgin Islands service.