On 9 May 2012 a meeting of the Advisory Board in the field of the electronic communications was held. The meeting was attended by the members of the CRC, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Transport, Information Technologies and Communications, the Commission for Consumer Protection, the Commission on Protection of Competition, the Association of  Consumers of Telecommunication and Internet Services (APTIU), the Movement for National Unity and Salvation (DNES), the Association “Telecommunications” (ASTEL), the Society for Electronic Communications (SEC), the Bulgarian Association of Cable Communication Operators (BACCO), “Bulgarian Posts” EAD and the mobile operators.

 

The Chairman of the CRC – Dr. Veselin Bozhkov, presented to the attendants statistics of the complaints received in the Commission in 2011, as well as in the first four months of 2012. Attention was paid to the fact that the difficulties, which the subscribers encounter in their relations with the operators, remain the same. After entry into force of the amendments of the Law on Electronic Communications (LEC) at the end of the previous year, an increased interest from the consumers is observed regarding their rights arising from the amended legal framework, including as regards the possibility of unilateral termination without penalties of a contract within 7 days of its conclusion. It was stressed that the complaints against the unfair trade practices and incorrect formed telephone bills have increased. The number portability, undesired automatic contract renewal, receipt of undesirable SMS, failure to notify upon reaching the credit limit and incompetent service are also part of the often met consumer complaints.

 

These problems were the main part of the discussion between the regulators, operators and the consumer organizations. In conclusion, the Communications Regulation Commission expressed its position on each of the issues, as the Chairman underlined the importance of the good interaction between the consumer organizations, operators and the regulatory authorities in increasing the consumer culture and awareness of the Bulgarian citizens about their rights and obligations as users of telecommunication services.

 

In this connection, the CRC will continue to be a partner to all stakeholders and will be actively involved as a mediator for improving the service and the maximum protection of the interests of the electronic communications services users.