The Jamaica Fair Trading Commission (FTC), issued a statement last Thursday that it will be holding mobile (telecommunications) companies in Jamaica to their word re the use of "Unlimited" talk time in their ads.
(The FTC seeks to maintain and encourage fair competition among the providers of goods and services in the Jamaican marketplace).
In recent months, we have seen mobile companies with new ads promoting "unlimited talk time" or "free minutes" for customers who subscribe to their service.
Well, Jamaicans love to talk and upon hearing the words "unlimited talk time" and "free" minutes in these ads, started to wag their tongues not realizing that there were conditions attached to using these unlimited talk time minutes.
Conditions that are mentioned in the fine print of their contracts with these mobile companies.
...So the minutes that these consumers actually thought were free, were curtailed or only applicable between certain time frames, or came at an additional cost.
Well, some of these consumers complained to the FTC re this and as as result, as of today, when mobile companies say they'll be offering "unlimited" talk time and attach conditions to it, they'll be prosecuted.
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I think that this is a great move by the FTC.
I truly hope that they will be more proactive in monitoring the ads of mobile telecoms operators in Jamaica by conducting surveys to ensure that what is promised is actually delivered.
...They need to stop being reactive by just waiting for complaints to come in, before acting on same.
The mobile landscape in Jamaica is very competitive and these companies need to be monitored to ensure that they use fair business practices,here. After all, they have to be circumspect when operating in other countries...why not here? :)
( I would like to thank britsincancun for the use of his Flickr inset photo above, entitled,"Just can't get away from my mobile phone !!").
Gillian
Sources Include
1) Various news sources from July 8-11, 2010
2) Article, "FTC puts limit to unlimited plans", July 9, 2010
Gillian
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