A proposed code for international mobile roaming services – avoiding the problem of "bill shock" encountered by some customers – has been published for public consultation.The Telecommunications Carriers' Forum says it is taking a le
A proposed code for international mobile roaming services – avoiding the problem of "bill shock" encountered by some customers – has been published for public consultation.
The Telecommunications Carriers' Forum says it is taking a lead role with the code in consultation with the industry, Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Ministry of Economic Development.
The telecommunications industry is looking to improve consumer confidence in international mobile roaming, particularly in relation to providing more transparency on pricing and how best to use services.
Measures in the code are aimed at ensuring that pricing was presented in a clear, consistent, timely and useful manner.
Forum chief executive David Stone says carriers already provide detailed pricing information to their roaming customers and have tried to reduce the complexity of their roaming plans.
"Despite these efforts, there's been a continuing industrywide awareness of customer concerns and 'bill shock' – particularly for those who've been using international roaming," Mr Stone says.
The proposed code will be self-regulating. It does not fall under the scheme of the Telecommunications Act but will be binding on its signatories.
