Good Times for Mobile Users as Ofcom Announces Rules to Curb Mis-selling
Ofcom, the official telecoms regulatory authority has recently taken the initiative to bring to book the erring mobile service providers. For many years, there has been a steady flow of complaints from consumers, who felt service providers were not giving them transparent deals. The consumers were annoyed by both the mobile dealers and the mobile broadband service providers. Ofcom has brought in a new set of rules to put an end to this problem.
Ofcom has also been forced into taking action because the voluntary code of conduct proposed by the mobile industry in 2004, failed miserably in reducing the number of complaints. The new rules were first proposed in March 2008 and it was noticed that the fear of punitive measures had already led the mobile operators to change policies. This brought down the number of complaints from 600 to less than 200 per month.
Under the new regulations, service providers have to ensure that proper sales practices are followed. Firstly, sales are to be made on the basis of correct and complete dissemination of information to customers on everything from pay as you go mobile broadband, laptop deals or contract laptops. Secondly, cash back purchases must really benefit the customer and not be unduly restrictive. Thirdly, service providers are to keep a constant check on retailers and resellers. A failure to abide by any of these rules can lead to a penalty of up to 10% of the relevant turnover.
Thus, mobile customers may now look forward to better service. Ofcom should be credited with bringing in a tough set of rules, although some do believe that its act was long due.

