Time windows 'unfair' on mobile phone users

Time windows imposed on pre-paid mobile phone bills constituted an unfair deal for the consumer and the matter should be probed by the Malta Communications' Authority, MEP Simon Busuttil has said.

Whenever mobile phone consumers opt for a pre-paid service, after topping up their account they are forced to use up their credit within a certain period or lose money.

"I feel this raises problems from a consumer protection point of view and the authority should look into it," Dr Busuttil said during a courtesy visit to the MCA's premises.

During the first few minutes of the visit that were open to the media, Dr Busutill said he would like to discuss two points: time windows and mobile phone base stations.

The base stations are set up by mobile phone companies on roofs around the island to ensure reception. Dr Busuttil said many people had voiced their concerns about potential health hazards caused by the base stations attached to their neighbouring roofs.

Although the World Health Organisation had found no such hazards the authority should not ignore people's concerns and should ensure that different mobile phone companies use the same base stations to avoid having them sprout all over Malta's roofs, he said.

In a brief address to the media, authority chairman Philip Micallef said he felt it was important to exchange views with EU representatives in the consumers' interest.

When contacted after the meeting, which lasted over an hour, Dr Busuttil said the MCA had sympathised with the concerns he raised and planned to look into them and draw up a position. He would not divulge more details about the private meeting.