Thai operators implementing per-second billing are charging customers more than when they were using per-minute rates, according to the consumer protection panel that pushed for the change in billing policy.
The consumer protection committee of Thailand's National Reform Council has complained that the new packages from AIS, Dtac and True Move are costing customers more and have fewer benefits, the Bangkok Postreported.
Under pressure from the NRC panel, Thai operators agreed in January to implement per-second billing and comply with new caps on average charges for 2G and 3G services.
But the head of the panel, Saree Aongsomwang, told the paper that the new packages exceed these caps. She gave examples of charges that translate to around 60% higher than the previous plans using per-minute rates.
The NRC is urging regulator NBTC to draw up regulations to address the issue and protect consumers.
The industry agreed to guidelines stipulating that the average charge for a 2G service must not exceed .99 baht ($0.03) per minute, and the average rate for 3G over 2.1-GHz spectrum must not be higher than 0.84 baht per minute.
But according to the NRC, at least some new packages exceed these averages.