PTA Takes Notice of Hidden Call Charges of Mobile Companies

Islamabad: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has ordered directions to all the local cellular mobile companies to end up the hidden call charges. It is pertinent here to mention, for past a week, the companies have had been charging the users with increase 10 paisa over each call, in addition to the taxes.

Increased 10 paisa is deducted due to set up face. It is worthwhile to mention, the “hidden-increased” charges are applicable to all the prepaid SIM users.  It entails voice bundle and free calls also. Hence, in case of activation of any package or offer, you are paying the hidden charges to the respective company.

Mobilink, Telenor and Ufone on their official websites had stated of charging 10 paisa for each and every day calls, made by prepaid customers.

Furthermore, few days back, Competition Commission of Pakistan had issued notice to the telecommunication companies. The companies were demanded to give clarification over the imposition of the increase rates by the customers. However, the telecom companies, without paying heed to the given instructions, added to the tariffs.

The mobile companies had updated the visitors of the increased tariffs to become effective from 25th of December 2013.  However, many people remained uninformed of the increase in tariffs. The all ready burdened telecom subscribers were, again victims of telecom companies “hidden charges”.

It’s pertinent to clarify here that Mobile Companies termed these hidden charges as call set-up fee.

PTA had observed silence for some time, but now the body demands the companies to uplift the charges.