Gone are the days when some telecoms used to charge for only downloads and uploading was free. The trends in how telecoms charge data has been evolving since the advent of internet on the go as carriers sniff out several ways of how to increase revenue. Even “don’t be cheated” data bundles however good they sound to be have a time limit after which your remaining 1GB will be as useless as a glass hammer. Wouldn’t it be good if you bought your 1GB and be able to use it at anytime or it’s rolled over to your next reload without any worry of expiring data bundles by the end of the day?
Its fair to say that telecoms companies clearly tell you your expiring data bundle before and after you buy and load –which can either be valid for a specific period, either weekly, daily or monthly. But why are companies around Africa being sued cause of expiry data bundles?
Safaricom on Wednesday surprised their subscribers when they scrapped off the expiring data bundles. But, this wasn’t a promotion of any kind– it was a response to a complaint filed before the Communications and Multimedia Appeals Tribunal, by Mr Kamotho who said he was aggrieved by the high cost of data and frustrated by the arbitrary expiry of hard-earned bundles. He also wanted telecom companies to stop depriving consumers of their unused data based on the data expiry model.
Some carriers discriminate against consumers by charging “out of bundle” rates, which are different from normal bundle rates which is common and includes expiring data bundles . Mr Kamotho said consumers have a right to accurate and understandable bills for products and services accepted by customers, and prompt redress in the event of a dispute in the provision of the services, as well as protection from unfair trade practices.
Early this month, the Government of Ghana directed Telecommunication operators in the country to stop the practice of expiring data bundles purchased by consumers. The directive also applied to voice bundles as well. In Ghana it is only AirtelTigo that offers data bundles that does not expire, so the directive was aimed to other carriers like MTN and Vodafone Ghana.
According to the Ministry of Communications’ directive, all unused data and voice bundles purchased by subscribers must not expire but rather be rolled over with the next recharge. Most telecoms firms will find it difficult to implement the expiring data bundles as it cuts into their revenues.
Communication regulators are supposed look out for the customer’s interests above all. Would you like your telecom operator to roll over data bundles that have expired? Leave us a comment below.
