Hawkins Nanton, Gleaner WriterCABLE & WIRELESS Jamaica (C&WJ) says it is surprised by comments of the Consumer Advisory Committee on Utilities (CACU) about the96 service provided by the telecommunications giant .
Speaking at a press conference last Thursday Yasmin Chong, chairperson of CACU, slammed the telecommunications provider for deciding to implement a change in its96 "without prior discussion with and the approval of the Office of Utilities Regulations (OUR)". Chong's group is an advisory arm of the OUR.
SPEEDIER DIALLING
But, on Monday, C&WJ said in a press statement that the96 service facilitates speedier dialling than the current ICAS code while still providing customers with the security and flexibility they require. C&WJ said at the time of the launch of the re-branded service in December 2004, the company was of the view that it was legally entitled to utilise the96 code as the code had been in its possession since 2001.
Furthermore, the telecommunications company claims that on November 30 it sent a letter to the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), advising of the launch of the rebranded96 service which was copied to the Consumer Advisory Committee so that the committee could be informed about the service.
"The CACU at no time made contact with C&WJ to discuss the service nor did the CACU express any concerns to the C&WJ," the C&WJ release stated.
CAME UNDER FIRE
Meanwhile, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has come under fire from the CACU, which highlighted what it called "the recent billing debacle at the JPSCo". While a solution has been recommended by OUR, Chong believes JPS should also face a penalty for failing to comply with regulatory directives (concerning billing) issued by the OUR from as early as 2003.
Regarding the National Water Commission (NWC), the consumer spokesperson noted that the number of customer complaints against the commission relating to billing practices remains high. She added, the customer service provided by the NWC needs to be more sensitive to irregularities in consumption patterns.
The consumers' affairs committee is an independent group of consumers, that was established in 2001 to provide the Office of Utilities Regulations (OUR) with a forum through which it could receive consumers' views on broad regulatory issues.
