CITC directs telecom companies to double disclosures on packages offered to users

The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) has today directed the telecommunication companies to double their disclosures related to the main features of the packages offered to users, ensuring they are aligned to the conditions laid out by the Commission.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Tamimi, Deputy Governor for Regulation and Competition at CITC, said the directive reflects the Commission’s commitment to enable the users to take the right decisions before subscribing to any package offered by the telecommunication companies. The Commission has asked the telecommunication companies to double the disclosures of details related to the packages, he pointed out.

Some examples of the extended disclosure requirements mandated under the new directive are additional benefits offered in the packages as well as services excluded from the basic services in a package. The telecom companies will also be required to state the validity period when a user has access to a package, and the daily data usage limit (in gigabytes) beyond which the internet speed gets reduced. Besides, they will need to explain the mechanism used to calculate the user's voice and data calls.

The Commission’s directive is binding on all mobile telecom companies in the Kingdom, and the users have the right to ask the telecom companies to disclose the details of any package they wish to subscribe. In case of violations, the Commission will look into reports from users, and take the appropriate legal action in accordance with the Telecommunications Law and its Executive Regulations, Dr. Al-Tamimi added.