Issuing an interim directive, the telecom sector regulator asked operators and ISPs to not launch schemes that benefit only a few individuals. It also directed operators and ISPs to immediately stop such schemes if they are running any. [break]
Kailash Prasad Neupane, spokesperson of NTA, said they have put ban on schemes that benefit only a small number of customers. “But they are free to launch schemes and offers that equally benefit all the consumers,” he added.
Neupane said the NTA issued the directive as most of the consumers have suffered from the schemes while only few of them have benefited. “Besides, the offers have increased unnecessary expenses of customers,” he added.
Responding to the NTA´s instruction, Ncell has stopped its ongoing schemes ´Ncell Nagadma Gadgad´, ´PRBT Win Ticket Offer´ and ´Premium League Alerts´.
Issuing a statement, Ncell said its customers will not be getting the prizes from Sunday midnight.
“Our decision of discontinuing the scheme is not to disappoint our customers but is based on NTA´s direction. We regret the inconvenience caused to the customers and want to assure them that we will be soon coming up with attractive offer that benefits every individual,” Milan Sharma, corporate communication expert at Ncell, said.
´Ncell Nagadma Gadgad´ offer, which was announced for 10 weeks on August 26, will now close after just four weeks.
According to NTA officials, companies must seek the permission from the home ministry before launching lotteries. “Ncell has not taken any permission,” an NTA official said.
NTA has argued that the directive will not only protect customers from being cheated but also stop big operators from misusing power. “We believe that the fresh directive will allow all the operators to focus on better services rather than attracting customers by schemes,” said Neupane.
NTA has formed a committee under the leadership of Arjun Ghimire, deputy director of the NTA, to prepare guidelines regarding the limitation for telcos and ISPs while announcing schemes and offers to the customers.
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