Optus offers free calls to typhoon-rocked Philippines

Optus is this week offering free calls and call credit to the Philippines, to let Australian residents check up on loved ones impacted by devastating super-typhoon Haiyan.

Until midnight on Sunday, Optus landline customers can make free calls to the Philippines, and postpaid mobile customers can make free calls and send free SMS.

Prepaid customers who regularly contact the Philippines will be offered 20 minutes of free call credit.

Optus and Singapore-based parent SingTel are meanwhile donating $43,000 (S$50,000) to relief efforts in the nation.

Optus is also helping Globe, SingTel’s mobile affiliate in the Philippines, provide 150 satellite phones to assist with communication in disaster-struck areas.

“Australians know all too well the devastation of natural disasters, so Optus recognises that this is a very difficult time for many of our customers,” SingTel vice president for corporate affairs David Epstein said.

Contact Optus for more information on the offer.

Pictured: Typhoon Haiyan, courtesy of the NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team under CC