Question 1
How are prices for consumers’ mobile packages or home broadband services determined?
Answer 1
Generally, prices for mobile and home broadband services are determined by market forces.
IMDA, however, may impose specific conditions to ensure that telcos do not use prices to engage in unfair competition, and to protect consumers from unscrupulous pricing practices (such as being charged for unsolicited services).
Question 2
How are you as the consumer protected?
Answer 2
There are a range of measures aimed at protecting consumers:
- The Telecom Competition Code provides general protections e.g. service providers cannot charge for unsolicited services
- Other specific protections include data roaming caps; requirement to obtain consumers’ consent before data roaming is activated; and rules on early termination charges.
Question 3
How can you as a consumer protect yourself from bill shocks?
Answer 3
Consumers can:
- Read the terms and conditions of the service carefully before agreeing to take it up, and make sure they understand all the charges. Consumers should also ask the service provider to explain to them the charges, or any other terms and conditions that may be unclear.
- Make sure roaming is turned off by default to avoid accidental roaming charges.
- Check with their service provider that data roaming is turned off when not needed.