The number of registered SIM cards provided by the Kingdom’s six mobile operators reached 21.63 million last year – up 11.6 per cent from 2018. Hong Menea
The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications on December 11 implemented the feature code *1200# to enable mobile subscribers to check and disconnect any optional services on their accounts.
The new code was created following complaints from subscribers about unexpected charges from service providers for unwanted services, the ministry said in a statement on the same day.
Mobile operators currently categorise services into two types – mobile and digital, the ministry said.
Mobile services refer to regular calls and internet usage, including weekly or monthly balance exchange plans, while digital services refer to additional resources or entertainment products, such as astrological analyses, job searching, social networking, gaming, missed call alert and ring tone services, it said.
The ministry warned that many mobile phone subscribers have been subjected to fees for such digital services and stressed that users should be clearly aware of the terms and features of the service packages they buy – and verify whether there are additional services and costs.
Smart Axiata Co Ltd CEO Thomas Hundt said his company recognises the need to be transparent and to provide valued customers with the power of choice.
He said Smart strives to respond to subscriber’s needs with innovations solutions, highlighting their two-way authentication for activating value-added services.
“We are always in dialogue with both the ministry and the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia [TRC] on such issues, to achieve the common objective of our customers best enjoying the various services offered by Smart in the most understandable way,” Hundt said.
The TCR on December 9 said mobile service providers are instructed to enable use of *1200# on their networks and notify users of the availability of the new feature code.
According to the TRC, the number of registered SIM cards provided by the Kingdom’s six mobile operators reached 21.63 million last year – up 11.6 per cent from 2018.
Mobile internet usage also saw a rapid increase with 16.12 million subscribers using their mobile phones to access online content last year, an increase of 18.47 per cent.
Landline telephone users declined by 35 per cent to 57,438 while fixed-broadband internet subscribers grew to 224,104, a 46 per cent increase.
The number of registered Facebook accounts also increased 29 per cent to 8.8 million last year.
