Algerians are excited about France’s triple-play operator Free’s decision to add unlimited calls to the country’s fixed-line numbers as part of a basic VoIP telephone service for subscribers living in unbundled areas. The new service means thousands of Algerian relatives living in France will be able to contact and reach their families back in North Africa with ease.
The service, which was inaugurated for customers of Moroccan origin at the end of 2009, is expected to be a huge success.
Hamid Abueda, an Algerian waiter in Marseilles, said that the new service means he will be able to speak with his family more regularly.
“It is a great thing because it will help me keep in touch, and my mother from spending too much on phone bills,” he said.
Until Free’s announcement, Algerians, who make up the largest North African contingent in France, had been forced to pay international rates to call home or a monthly service fee to use their ADSL service to phone Algeria.
Now, with the service being launched, Algerians living in France no longer have to worry about the exorbitant costs that had accompanied calling home.
By Jonathan Terry
