Telecom companies looting customers with impunity
Editorial
The telecommunication sector in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has become a haven for unscrupulous profiteering. Mobile companies, including Zong, Ufone, Jazz and Telenor are relentlessly hiking prices of internet and cellular packages, leaving customers frustrated and helpless. This blatant exploitation is being carried out with impunity, as the regulatory bodies e.g. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the government remain completely silent.
The frequency and magnitude of these price increases are staggering. Every month, customers are slapped with higher charges for weekly and monthly packages, without any discernible improvement in services. This price gouging has become a lucrative business model for telecom companies, who seem to be operating in a regulatory vacuum.
The PTA, tasked with protecting consumer interests, has been conspicuous in its inaction. Its silence is deafening, as customers continue to be fleeced by mobile companies. The PTA’s failure to regulate the sector effectively has emboldened mobile companies to exploit customers with abandon.
The federal government, too, has been shockingly inactive in addressing this pressing issue. Its inattention has allowed the cellular networks to run amok, prioritizing profits over people. The government’s apathy is particularly galling, given its rhetoric on promoting digital inclusion and bridging the digital divide.
The impact of this price gouging is far-reaching, affecting not only individual customers but also small businesses and entrepreneurs who rely on mobile services to operate. The lack of affordable and reliable internet and cellular services is stifling economic growth, innovation, and social progress.
Therefore, it is imperative that the PTA and the federal government take immediate action to rein in the mobile companies unbridled greed. They must establish clear regulations and price controls to protect consumers from exploitation. The government must also invest in developing a robust and affordable telecommunications infrastructure, promoting competition and innovation in the sector. Furthermore, it is highly important for the government and regulatory bodies to take strict action against the prevailing exploitation in larger public interest.
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