ictQATAR Issues Final Proposal for Telecommunications Billing Guidelines

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Second round of public comments invited, comments published from first round

Doha, Qatar, The Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR)Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR), in its role as regulator and consumer protector, has today issued its final proposal for billing guidelines for a final round of comments. These guidelines are intended to ensure that consumers of post paid telecommunications services have the tools they need to understand their telecommunications bills, identify and dispute billing errors and avoid being charged for services for which they have not subscribed.

This final proposal takes into account comments received from 68 different parties who responded to ictQATARictQATAR's initial consultation published in August 2008. These comments and the final proposal can be viewed on http://www.ict.gov.qa/output/page794.asp . ictQATARictQATAR encourages interested parties to submit any comments on the final proposal for telecommunications belling guidelines by 26 February 2009.

The final proposal includes key aspects like:
- A single bill for all telecommunications services must be provided by the same service provider

- All customers of postpaid telecommunications services, including those with disabilities, will be entitled to a billing invoice free of charge in an accessible format

- Service Providers will be required to provide electronic access to billing information and this access must be quick, simple and easy

- All charges appearing on a bill must be itemized and include the method of calculation

- Service Providers must notify customers at least 2 working days in advance of any planned disconnection

- Service Providers must provide a toll free billing number by which customers may dispute charges over the phone instead of having to go to a customer service center

- Customers will not be liable to pay for charges that under dispute while the dispute is still on-going

ictQATARictQATAR prefers that comments are sent by email to consult@ict.gov.qa. Parties who choose to submit comments by post or courier may do so at the following address:

Regulatory Policy and Economic Affairs Department
Regulatory Authority
ictQATAR
Al Mirqab Tower, Corniche Road
P.O. Box 23264, Doha, Qatar

Comments that are sent by courier or post should include an electronic version, preferably in a CD format, in addition to a hard copy.

For more information concerning this consultation go to www.ictQATARictQATAR.qa..

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© Press Release 2009