Cisco says it can meet those needs, adding that the software giant is just aiming to sweat price and service guarantees out of Cisco.

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Like competing no-frills cards, Discover it strips away many routine service charges and guarantees live access to American-based customer support agents.

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But Levi insists the customer already has the choice of 18, 000 authorised Levi dealers throughout Europe which guarantees good service, quality and range.

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Simple Choice also guarantees to deliver each service at nationally advertised prices or lower.

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Only 21% of private workers enjoy a defined-benefit (DB) pension, which guarantees retirement income based on years of service and final salary.

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But any sell-off is likely to be balanced by firm guarantees for the continuation of a universal service supervised by an independent regulator.

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On Thursday, Ulster Bank's chief executive Jim Brown said he hoped normal service would resume next week but was unable to give any guarantees.

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