BANGKOK, 15 January 2013 The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has designated January 18th as the deadline for mobile phone operators to stop imposing expiration dates on prepaid mobile credits. The NBTC has called five mobile phone operators, namely TOT, CAT Telecom, AIS, DTAC, and True Move to a meeting to hear the new regulations.
In order to ensure consumers of their benefits, NBTC Secretary-General Takorn Tantasit announced that expiration dates for prepaid users have to be scrapped starting on the date specified. Failing to do so, the operators will face a fine. The NBTC is looking into an appropriate expiration timeframe, but said it should not be less than 30 days. Pending the NBTC’s consideration, no expiration dates could be set.
In addition, mobile phone operators are also urged to have all of their prepaid users register for the service. From January 18th onwards, people who acquire a prepaid mobile number must present their identification cards to register their designated numbers under their names.
The NBTC has also set the ceiling price for voice calls at 99 satang per minute. Operators who are still charging over 99 satang per minute in some packages are urged to change the rate. Mobile phone users are advised to call Hotline 1200 to report cases of non-compliance by the private sector.
Currently there are 73 million prepaid customers or 90% of all mobile phone users.
