PETALING JAYA - The invitation said it was to be a 'beach wear friendly' event. The note was accompanied by a bright stamp-like image of a beachfront with a backdrop of a bright blue sky and spreads of white clouds.

The image also bore an upright surf board, an animated Tune Talk cellphone chip and some graphic samples of beach wear.

The event, at the Opiumm club at the Jaya One mall here on Wednesday was to celebrate the half-millionth mark of Tune Talk phone subscribers, since the newest mobile service provider took the market by storm five months ago.

Beach wear fantasy

"Please come in your favourite beach wear. The best dressed among the media 'beach goers' will receive a RM200 flight voucher!" said the  invitation, adding that limited surprise gifts would be given to early comers.

However, the 'beach friendly' event was a washout when the media guests only turned up in their working apparel - save for Comm & Tech Asia editor Charles F Moreira (pic), who wore a grey checked casual wear and Bermuda slacks.

But non-beach event did not dampen the spirit of the organisers and their guests, who were all entertained by prancing lion dancers in the light of the upcoming Chinese New Year festivity.

Thern the spotlight turned to lucky Zolkefley Mohad Mokhtar, from Negri Sembilan, who became the 500,000th subscriber to the Tune Talk network

He received a three-day and two-night all-expenses paid trip to Bali on AirAsia. He will also get free surfing lessons, together with a surfboard and a camera.

Onwards to millionth customer

Congratulating Zolkefley on being the 500,000th subscriber,  Tune Talk chief executive officer Jason Lo said the company is looking forward to rewarding its millionth customer.

He added that the company hopes to provide affordable roaming charges for its subscribers and, as a start, would be in discussion with Singapore and Indonesian telco companies to get their local call rates.

Lo said the company had, in actual fact, passed the 600,000th mark on Tuesday.

Asked whether there will be a hiccup during this festive season, he said there might be ‘some’ but  added that this  is usual for all telcos during the festive season.

New numbers, new gifts

Lo is ptimistic about the progress made by the company and promised that more ‘goodies’ are in store for subscribers.

"With such a simple yet exciting product, we are confident that we are on track to surpass our  one million subscriber target within the first year of operation.

"We will achieve this via boosting our distribution channels, supported by innovative marketing and communications strategies including our exciting web-based approach," he said.

In tune (no pun intended) with the expansion, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has granted the company an additional block of  500,000 numbers, from 010-770 0000  to 010-819 9999. Tune Talk’s earlier numbers ranged from 010-500 0000 up to 010-549 9999.

Tune Talk is also introducing a new rebate plan where subscribers will be able to get free talktime every time they top up their credit limit by RM30, RM50 or RM100.

Under the Super Rebate plan, those who reload RM30 will get additional RM3 airtime for free, RM50 top-up (RM5 free talktime) and RM100 top up (RM10) free talktime.

Lo said the company was also running a promotion for flight vouchers, with weekly winners getting RM10,000 worth of AirAsia E-Gift Vouchers that can be redeemed for any AirAsia or AirAsia X flights. - Malaysian Mirror View MM video