MOBILE phone company Digicel and all its independent and private outlets selling sim-cards have been advised against activating their voicemail service without customer consent.
This advise is from the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) following increased concerns that have been raised by customers via the mainstream and social media in relation to this service with calls to investigate Digicel.
Speaking during a press conference last Friday ICCC’s chief executive officer and commissioner Paul Ain stated from the outset that the issue had been brought to the commission’s attention at the beginning of the year, but that this is the mandated responsibility of the National Information Communication and Technology Authority (NICTA).
"It is important to understand that although the ICCC is willing to look into the charges and cost structure of Digicel’s voice mail service, this responsibility is mandated to NICTA.
However, Mr Ain stated that from a consumer protection perspective, which is in the commission’s jurisdiction, that it had advised that consumers must be given a choice to opt-in (subscribe) and opt-out (unsubscribe) from this service.
He said Digicel has advised that it would implement this as part of their policy. "ICCC’s advise to consumers is that if you feel that the voice mail service does not meet your call requirement, you have a choice to unsubscribe by contacting Digicel’s customer care service on 123.
"For users wishing to continue this service the ICCC also urges users to query and be informed about Digicel’s voice mail rates and be smart in how you make your calls," he said.
On question of penalites against Digicel, ICCC’s executive manager-Consumer Protection Avi Hubert had stated it must be appreciated that there are laws in place and only if they are breeched would this be warranted.
This advise is from the Independent Consumer and Competition Commission (ICCC) following increased concerns that have been raised by customers via the mainstream and social media in relation to this service with calls to investigate Digicel.
Speaking during a press conference last Friday ICCC’s chief executive officer and commissioner Paul Ain stated from the outset that the issue had been brought to the commission’s attention at the beginning of the year, but that this is the mandated responsibility of the National Information Communication and Technology Authority (NICTA).
"It is important to understand that although the ICCC is willing to look into the charges and cost structure of Digicel’s voice mail service, this responsibility is mandated to NICTA.
However, Mr Ain stated that from a consumer protection perspective, which is in the commission’s jurisdiction, that it had advised that consumers must be given a choice to opt-in (subscribe) and opt-out (unsubscribe) from this service.
He said Digicel has advised that it would implement this as part of their policy. "ICCC’s advise to consumers is that if you feel that the voice mail service does not meet your call requirement, you have a choice to unsubscribe by contacting Digicel’s customer care service on 123.
"For users wishing to continue this service the ICCC also urges users to query and be informed about Digicel’s voice mail rates and be smart in how you make your calls," he said.
On question of penalites against Digicel, ICCC’s executive manager-Consumer Protection Avi Hubert had stated it must be appreciated that there are laws in place and only if they are breeched would this be warranted.
Tags:
Tech News