In an attempt to streamline telecom services in the country, the Telecom Regulatory Authority will soon bring in new regulations on Premium Rate Services (PRS). For this process, the authority has issued a draft regulation on its website for seeking public opinion.
Premium rate services are services provided by companies or individuals in coordination with network operators. The range of services include general information such as weather forecasts, traffic news, stock exchange reports and sport results, as well as advice and entertainment services.
According to TRA, the draft regulation aims at ensuring awareness about PRS that do not fall under normal tariffs. Such services include voting and dedication SMS through TV and radio channels and SMS for downloading ringtones and games.
"The authority seeks public consultation before adopting any new measure. The process of laying down regulations will start after the analysis of public and private opinion and the incorporation of suggestions," said an official from TRA.
According to the draft, PRS providers musts disclose prices and the terms and conditions before providing any service. It should indicate the charges in all chargeable messages.
If a PRS is for a specified period, the service provider should announce the subscription period and reveal the mechanisms through which the subscriber can request cancellation of the service. In all cases, the service provider must enable the subscriber to request a termination of service at any stage of the subscription period.
The service provider shall not bind subscribers to pay for text messages that contain registration and termination instructions, or for message reminders of service expiry or its renewal.
The PRS provider should maintain a local customer service hotline for the service and should respond to all enquires, complaints and disputes as promptly as possible. It should ensure that the local customer service hotline is effective and operative during business hours.
It is also necessary for the PRS providers to keep a record of all complaints and disputes raised by people. The record should contain information like the reference number for the complaint, date and description of the complaint, particulars of the person raising the complaint, and description of the action taken by the provider.
These records must be kept with the operators for two years and the services shall not be used to provide any activity that is prohibited by Omani law, like gambling.
The official said that TRA is inviting the public to read the document, which has been put on its website for better information and constructive comments. Opinions and suggestions may be submitted to the authority by November 20.
© Muscat Daily 2011
