Telstra flex online bill payment muscle

Telstra is really stretching out lately - another news bit, that they are upgrading their online bill payment facilities after research showed online payment as the preferred method of customers paying their phone bills.

Telstra's research was the result of Pure Profile's August 2010 sample of 1250 Australian's aged over 18, from both regional and metropolitan areas. Karen Ganschow, executive director of relationship marketing and online, said that the research they had showed 85 percent of Australian's preferred simple transactions on their PC or mobile phone, rather than in person or on the phone.

She added, "The average Australian has entered a new age of embracing online in their day to day lives. More than a third of us go online daily to perform simple transactions - such as paying bills or checking account information - with 10 per cent using the net up to four times a day to perform these tasks."

Telstra say they will give their customers an easier online self-serve option for bills and payment, including "convenient email bills, a new smartphone billing application and direct debit payment options via My Account."

The "My Account" section has also had a face lift, it will include a wider choice of payment options including "one click access to a new direct debit option via an easy-to-use webform." Also included in Telstra's botox upgrade to their website is a new "recharge pre-paid" tab, which can give you access to recharge a pre-paid mobile, iPad or mobile broadband service.