Jordan's TRC probe into prepaid card prices shows increase limited to e-payments

AMMAN — An investigation by the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) into complaints about an increase in the price of prepaid cards has revealed that the increase was limited only to the eFAWATEERcom online payment platform.

In a statement sent to The Jordan Times, the TRC said that telecommunication companies offered promotional discounts during the crisis from March 24 to the beginning of May for certain categories of recharge cards, and that the prices went back to normal after the discount period.

However, the commission said that eFAWATEERcom added a profit margin on all recharge card categories, adding that it also checked on complaints over an increase in the prices of “Mix” recharge cards and data cards, but found that they are being sold at their regular price at the telecommunication companies’ showrooms “without any changes”.

The TRC said that, depending on where the cards are purchased — whether online or in-person — some sellers may add profit margins. The public can choose the purchasing medium that fits their needs.

The Jordan Times posted an online query on social media concerning the prices of recharge cards, to which all respondents said that they purchase their mobile credit online through eFAWATEERcom.

Social media user Eman Abdul Abu Diak said: “A month and a half ago, I recharged my balance through eFAWATEERcom and paid around JD1.80, but yesterday when I tried to do the same, it was JD1.95, and the more you go up with the categories, the more the margin increases.”

“The profit margin on eFAWATEERcom has increased by between JD0.25 and JD0.5, depending on the category,” user Ammar Alrawashdeh told The Jordan Times.

“Generally speaking, eFAWATEERcom has replaced many payment methods everywhere, although other options are available… so something is amiss,” Alrawashdeh added.

Budoor Snober said: “As everyone is headed towards online payment, logic dictates that people be encouraged to take the step, but the problem is that the increase is affecting people’s trust in the e-service.”

“The problem is not with the quarter- or half-dinar, but the accumulation of paying other bills besides the recharge cards, which will push people to keep paying in cash,” Snober added.