Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has said that there were complaints about complexity and obscurity in billing procedures and overcharging by some cellular operators and PTCL''s workings left much to be desired.
The PTA in its quarterly review on telecom revealed that many consumers voiced serious concern regarding complexity and obscurity in billing procedures which result in overcharging by some cellular operators. Complaints of billing from post-pay customers of two mobile companies were specifically reported.
Rectification of landline faults is also taking time due to faulty management of the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) especially after its privatisation, it added.
The complaints against PTCL increased over the last two quarters mainly due to faulty system because of heavy rains and development works, especially during July-Sept, 06, complaints related to telephone faults increased by 118 per cent as compared to April-June, 2006.
During the second half of 2006, 10,049 complaints were received with a 32 per cent increase as compared to the first half. A large number of complaints were bout faults in PTCL fixed lines.
Complaints of telephones that remained out of order for a protracted period have badly affected the business and routine activities of the customers. Issues related to delayed restoration of connection, faulty equipment and malfunctioning of remote area exchanges have increased manifold during last two quarters. The PTCL is also unable to provide new telephone connections to public in time due to non-availability of infrastructure.