SOME telcos have plans that include hidden charges for little-used services which quietly kick in after a
free trial period expires.
I signed up for a $41 iPhone plan with M1 last December. This month, I found that I had been charged $10 extra for roaming services.
I learnt that I had signed up for a free three-month roaming trial when I signed the contract, and if I did not cancel the free trial after three months, I would start getting billed for it.
This term was buried deep in the contract and was not explained to me by the salesman.
Unfortunately, I have only myself to blame for not being vigilant enough.
However, considering that this is a $41 plan, a $10 "extra" tacked on represents a 25 per cent increase in my bill for no additional service (unless I travel).
This is where the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) can step in. It can implement rules, such as requiring telcos to seek fresh consent before they tack on any extra charges, or it can regulate free trials that become automatically billable on expiry. This is especially so for services like roaming or voicemail, which most users do not use.
I understand there is always going to be a tension between freedom of contract and consumer rights, but when consumers with little bargaining power are up against monolithic corporations, that is where the regulators can step in.
Samuel Ling Ying Hong
