A political party has called on the Ministry of Treasury, State Enterprises and Communications and Energy to address the issue of telecommunication rates.
The president of the Country Party queried why a state-owned firm is charging exorbitant fees without improving its coverage and services.
Nelson Duwabane, in a statement, called on the Ministries and their agencies, namely Independent Consumer and Competition Commission, Telikom and National Information and Communications Technology Authority, to step in to address the long-standing issue.
Duwabane said: “As a political party focused on improved services to majority of our population, we raise this as a formal consumer complaint as communication is a development tool in provision of health, education and economic services to the people.
“Mobile phone network, access and rates offered by bmobile, Digicel and Telikom is an issue affecting the consumers, where competition is also limited.
“Although they are operating to make a profit, communication is very important in this country and especially in rural areas. With onset of mobile services, the State, through Telikom, has abandoned its public telephone system and also neglected to maintain or connect lines for individuals.
“First issue is, why is Telikom and bmobile charging exorbitant fees without improving its coverage and services?
“Even both State entities should not compete with private sector Digicel but focus on cost recovery to ensure people of PNG have access to important communication and information network.
“For example, Flexible and Open Distance College are accessing course materials through internet. Department of Finance is issuing payslips and education system is using online application forms. The absence of proper State network and accessible rates is a big problem.
“And for Digicel to step in with its better coverage and network is a bonus. However, with the State’s failure, its special offers must be accessible. It started off with K3, K5 and K6 and now it keeps increasing.”
Duwabane said special bundles offered by the SOE have seen an increase in price, and this change was not relayed to its consumers.
“The option of sending combo gifts was also removed without notice. Changes in prices are also not consistent for all users,” stated Country Party’s president.
“This is a trickery played on consumers and cheating for profit. Especially when competition is not an issue for Digicel. What then is the basis for this massive increase in price and service access and is it approved by the ICCC?
“Customers and organisations that use these facilities are now hit with a massive variation in costs.
“This is due to absence of access by Telikom and bmobile. Even rates by state agencies is higher than Digicel, though their network coverage is poor.
“We therefore request ICCC, NICTA and Telikom and respective Ministers to review the impact on consumers, firstly focusing on their rates.”