Digicel combo debate rages on

I disagree with the Minister for Communications and Information Technology for rejecting the National Information, Communications and Technology Authority’s (Nicta) recommendation for Digicel to charge a standard price on its 1Tok Combo SMS and call bundle services.
Minister Basil’s response that to do so will make Digicel remove its 1Tok combo bundle plans without further discussions is off the mark from a leader representing the people of PNG.
This is lame excuse.
Digicel has been making money off customers with its non-uniform 1Tok combo rates for years, and now that many are complaining, Nicta was forced to act, only to be turned down by the minister.
What the people want is for Digicel to set standard rates across the country, starting from K3 up with its 1Tok combos to create a win-win situation and a balanced playing field for all.
While its daily combos are cheap, its weekly combos are still very expensive and unaffordable, starting from K15 up to K24 which only the top and middle income earners can afford.
The low income earners and rural farmers can only afford the daily combos.
The minister should have asked Digicel why it was charging K15 when it should be charging from K3 or K5 up.
Then we have the no roll-over issue for all unexpired bundle data, calls and SMS which is not right and something Minister Basil has failed to consider in Nicta’s recommendation.
Why not allow all unused and unexpired bundles to roll over daily or weekly instead of wiping them out and forcing customers to pay again.
This is ridiculous and unfair.

Wanbel Niape
Port Moresby