Consumer activists seek transparency in telecom

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Consumer rights activists have urged the government to introduce a system to protect the rights of telecom service users.

The current billing system and tariff is rampant and unscientific, blamed consumer rights activist Jyoti Baniya, adding that Nepal Telecommunications Authority should take the initiative to introduce a transparent system.

More than half the total population in the country use telecom services, he said. “But, the government is indifferent when the issue of consumer protection crops up.”

Telecom service providers and the regulator have done almost nothing regarding Quality of Service and consumer education, he added. “The government has granted permission to telcos to operate their services but it has done nothing regarding consumer education.” Consumers are being cheated due to a lack of knowledge of discontinuing Value Added Service (VAS) offered by telecom service providers, he said. “Automatic connection of VAS and little knowledge on how to discontinue such services have put consumers in trouble due to high bills.”

The government should introduce a strong regulatory provision to control further chaotic situation in the telecom sector, he said.

“Telecom is a thriving business in the country and the government should introduce a strong regulation to safeguard consumer rights,” he said. “Otherwise, consumers of telecom services will face

the same predicament that consumers of other sectors are facing.” Consumer rights activists will soon submit a detailed report to the Office of

the Prime Minister from a

consumer rights perspective, Baniya informed.