Are mobile rates being regulated?
SO SURE look like they are overcharging the local population again with the latest increases in rates, notified 15 July – rates start 19 July – a whole four days' notification then. Let's have a look at the options: Sure: Local call 35p/min + 10p connection charge (as I read it). Text 15p. Data 10p/MB.
Three UK 'roaming rate' – sim sent to Guernsey for free Call to Guernsey number 3.3p/min. Text to Guernsey number 1.3p. Data 3.3p/MB. Let's not talk about the 'free' data and call allowance when you top up – all of the operators pretty much offer a variant of this.
And this Three roaming rate is pretty much the same rate if I am roaming in the USA with the same sim.
Oh, and my credit does not 'expire' if not used.
Anyhow I thought we had a regulator? Guess this is regulator-sanctioned overcharging.
PAUL C,
Name and address withheld.
Editor's footnote: A Sure spokesman replies:
Thank you for the chance to respond to this correspondent. We recently informed customers of changes in our basic rates for calls from mobiles. Very few customers actually use these rates as our pay-monthly customers have an allocation of free calls (as well as texts and data) included in their monthly package and our pay-as-you-go customers also receive an allocation every time they top up.
The changes to PAYG plans have been made after customer feedback indicated that data was now more of a priority than calls or texts. We are unable to comment on other operators, but Sure is confident that it offers good value for money for its mobile users.
If the correspondent would like to discuss this issue further they can call us on 700700.
Michael Byrne, chief executive of Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authorities, replies:
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your reader's letter.
The Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authorities does not price-control retail mobile packages in Guernsey. Unlike many other telecom services, customers have the option to leave one provider and choose another; Cicra has made this a lot easier by introducing mobile number porting.
Cicra is responsible for the protection of Channel Islands consumer interests rather than the resolution of individual customer complaints. For mobile services, there is a choice of three providers in Guernsey enabled by a competitive process designed by Cicra; several other small jurisdictions have since sought to emulate this.
In the case of mobile services the Channel Islands has three service providers which compete against one another and, to ensure consumers are able to access the best available deals, Cicra has actively intervened in the market on a number of occasions. Resolving the exposure by users to mobile data roaming charges is also high on Cicra's priority list.
Cicra does everything it can to ensure consumers obtain the best choice and value in the competitive markets in the Channel Islands.
