Celebrating world consumer day
Just a mere few years ago, the communications industry was characterised by monopolies. Today, these industries have been liberalised, resulting in increased competition, innovative and improved services for both consumers and businesses.
Just a mere few years ago, the communications industry was characterised by monopolies. Today, these industries have been liberalised, resulting in increased competition, innovative and improved services for both consumers and businesses. Simultaneously prices have come down considerably making these services much more affordable for the general public.
While in 2003 Malta had only one fixed telephony network, today it has three. Consumers have a vast choice of mobile services to select from and this is set to increase as a third mobile network operator is due to enter the market shortly. A new wireless broadband network has been deployed and another two have been licensed. This increased choice in the market and the growing dependency on the services provided by this industry has resulted in a steady rise in consumer expectations.
Although the effects of liberalisation are overwhelmingly positive, the provision of multiple services over single networks and increased choice have also brought about new complexities in the market. These are impacting consumers' ability to benefit fully from these developments. In a competitive environment, it is important that specific steps are taken to ensure that consumer rights are promoted, respected and safeguarded.
It is for this reason that March 15, celebrated last Saturday, is recognised internationally as World Consumer Day, a reminder of the imperative of maintaining in all these developments, the right balance between business and consumer interests.
Since its' inception the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) has sought to ensure that consumers continue to enjoy increased choice and value for money in the market place, as well as have an adequate form of redress when things go wrong.
Having said this, the MCA is constrained by the limited powers afforded to it on issues relating to consumers under the legislative framework in which it operates.
The MCA can however, act as a mediator between parties to reach a mutually acceptable solution, or depending on the issue, advise consumers of an appropriate course of action.
To this end, over the past year, the MCA has strengthened its consumer affairs function in order to ensure that consumers are better informed and well protected in matters relating to sectors the Authority oversees - telecoms, posts and e-commerce.
One of the initiatives the MCA has undertaken, is the production of information guides which aim to provide consumers with key pointers on how to select a service provider and / or services in the electronic communications market, particularly, mobile and fixed telephony, internet and TV distribution services. The guides are aimed at ensuring that consumers are well informed on:
● the factors to consider before choosing a particular service provider;
● the differences in the types of products and services, to enable comparison;
● their rights and the service providers' obligations; and
● the steps to take when lodging a complaint with their service provider and when to lodge a complaint with the MCA.
A full version of these guides is available for download from the MCA site at www.mca.org.mt. An abridged version/s will be made available soon.
Source: Malta Communications Authority
While in 2003 Malta had only one fixed telephony network, today it has three. Consumers have a vast choice of mobile services to select from and this is set to increase as a third mobile network operator is due to enter the market shortly. A new wireless broadband network has been deployed and another two have been licensed. This increased choice in the market and the growing dependency on the services provided by this industry has resulted in a steady rise in consumer expectations.
Although the effects of liberalisation are overwhelmingly positive, the provision of multiple services over single networks and increased choice have also brought about new complexities in the market. These are impacting consumers' ability to benefit fully from these developments. In a competitive environment, it is important that specific steps are taken to ensure that consumer rights are promoted, respected and safeguarded.
It is for this reason that March 15, celebrated last Saturday, is recognised internationally as World Consumer Day, a reminder of the imperative of maintaining in all these developments, the right balance between business and consumer interests.
Since its' inception the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) has sought to ensure that consumers continue to enjoy increased choice and value for money in the market place, as well as have an adequate form of redress when things go wrong.
Having said this, the MCA is constrained by the limited powers afforded to it on issues relating to consumers under the legislative framework in which it operates.
The MCA can however, act as a mediator between parties to reach a mutually acceptable solution, or depending on the issue, advise consumers of an appropriate course of action.
To this end, over the past year, the MCA has strengthened its consumer affairs function in order to ensure that consumers are better informed and well protected in matters relating to sectors the Authority oversees - telecoms, posts and e-commerce.
One of the initiatives the MCA has undertaken, is the production of information guides which aim to provide consumers with key pointers on how to select a service provider and / or services in the electronic communications market, particularly, mobile and fixed telephony, internet and TV distribution services. The guides are aimed at ensuring that consumers are well informed on:
● the factors to consider before choosing a particular service provider;
● the differences in the types of products and services, to enable comparison;
● their rights and the service providers' obligations; and
● the steps to take when lodging a complaint with their service provider and when to lodge a complaint with the MCA.
A full version of these guides is available for download from the MCA site at www.mca.org.mt. An abridged version/s will be made available soon.
Source: Malta Communications Authority