Regulatory Authority Highlights ICOL Consumer Protection Obligations

An advertisement is to be published in Friday’s Royal Gazette which details the communications carrier obligations in its dealings with consumer protection.

These obligations, which the Regulatory Authority has made part of the operating licences granted to carriers, require communications businesses to publish and provide to their customers information covering such things as the wording of contracts, billing procedures and the provision of service to customers.  (A copy of the advertisement can be seen HERE)

Philip Micallef, Chief Executive Officer of the Regulatory Authority, said “We wanted to draw to the attention of consumers the obligations that carriers have to be open, honest and transparent in the provision of services to their customers.

“We are progressing from an historic regulatory framework in Bermuda in which carriers were not under much of an obligation to provide information to its customers about the details of its service, to one in which they are obliged by the terms of their licences to provide as much information as possible.

“We think It will perhaps take a little while for Bermudians to get used to this new world in which the law and the regulations we make at the RA give due recognition to their place at the head of the communications pecking order.  Until they do,” said Mr. Micallef, “we feel we should continue to draw their attention to the rules, and remind them of the levels of service they should expect from their carriers.

“The information contained in the advertisement we have published this morning, and which will be published again on Monday morning, is published on the RA website at www.rab.bm.  If Bermudians have any questions or concerns, we would be happy to help if they email us at [email protected].  In addition, we will be conducting a Consumer Rights Consultation at the beginning of next month, and encourage Bermudians to get involved with that Consultation.”