Various letters have been appearing in The Times highlighting problems which might crop up as a result of consumers changing their mobile telephone service provider but keeping their original number.

This situation could entail consumers in unwarranted costs especially in those cases where free calls are allowed when a consumer phones up a number which is serviced by his/her same provider.

The Consumer Affairs Council has recently held a meeting with the Malta Communications Authority to discuss possible ways to ameliorate the situation for the benefit of the consumers and various options were discussed which the MCA will be looking into.

Meanwhile, it is the right time to point out that a service exists whereby consumers can phone up freephone 180 or else send an SMS to 180 indicating the mobile number they wish to contact you so as to find out which is the service provider of that particular number.

Should consumers require further information, they are kindly requested to send an e-mail to CACouncil@gov.mt or else write to the Consumer Affairs Council, Office for Fair Trading, Cannon Road, StaVenera SVR1411.