Savvytel
Savvytel is a mobile phone company based in St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia.
History
Savvytel began in 2005 with its prepaid mobile phone product launched in August of 2006. As a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, the company buys airtime from Vodafone Australia.
The parent company, Savvy Direct, began operations in Australia as a telecommunications broker in 1992 after the deregulation of the Australian telecommunications market in 1991.
Products
Prepaid mobile
Savvytel began offering prepaid mobile phone access at rates lower than traditional carriers because, under the Telecommunications Act 1997, Savvytel are able to obtain a licence to purchase airtime at a rate lower than the carrier while still able to make a profit. Further, Savvytel was the first mobile phone company in the world to offer call credits that never expire.
Cap plans
In 2007, Savvytel introduced a range of cap plans that include calls to landlines (including over 200 international destinations), mobiles, SMS (national and international), voicemail and 13, 1-300 and 1-800 Numbers.
Other products
Savvytel also sells phone cards for prepaid calling to international destinations at a reduced rate.
Marketing
Savvytel's product marketing has mostly been through the Internet and newsagents, who sell their starter kits.
In 2007 Savvytel $20 starter kits were given away as runner-up prizes on the late-night Channel Nine quiz show, Quizmania.
Awards
On 4 December 2007, Money magazine announced the winners of their "Best of the Best" awards, where they aim to provide the consumer with information on the best deals in practically everything. Savvytel was the gold winner in The Best Plans – Medium Users, for their $20 cap, and bronze winner in The Best Plans – High Users, for their $115 cap.