Jordan Urges Telecoms To End Prepaid Plans

Jordan’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply has called on telecom companies to reverse a recent decision disconnecting prepaid phone plans the day following the expiration of the subscription, and not to take any decisions that “violate market mechanisms and free competition.”

In a statement Sunday, October 23, Minister Maha Ali said the ministry had officially addressed local mobile operators to “stop this practice which risks liability.” 

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission forwarded to the ministry complaints against the three mobile operators regarding the cut-off of prepaid plans on the day after the subscription expires, the minister noted. 

Ali indicated that a study into the issue by the ministry’s department of competition found out that the three telecom firms applied new conditions on the disconnection of prepaid lines, something, she said, breached competition and limited options before subscribers.

Previously, telecom companies granted pre-paid mobile subscribers a month to receive calls after the subscription ends. However, the three companies have recently pursued a new policy on prepaid plans, cutting them off just a day after the subscription expires.

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