Manama: Mahmood Rafique, Editor: In a total disregard of the Government instructions, the telecom operators in Bahrain continue to disconnect mobile telephone, broadband and internet services due to delay in payments.
Batelco, ZaiN and stc customers are facing serious problems over the interruption in mobile and broadband internet services which are being disconnected without considering the emergency situation following the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak in Bahrain and Government’s clear instructions to keep essential services uninterrupted.
Bahrain telecom operators are still working according to their automated billing systems which disconnects the services without a human intervention resulting in frustrations among thousands of families in a situation when schools are closed, and with a very limited mobility due to the preventive measures of minimizing the spread of the COVID-19.
The Government had closed down all non-essential businesses which will continue till April 9th, and people at home without mobile phone services, and broadband creates miserable situation especially for families.
Telecom services providers in Bahrain have miserably failed to make some concessions for the customers in these extra ordinary times wherein each and every one is hit in a way as result of the virus outbreak.
Two weeks back, I used the handle of @trabahrain to inquire if the service disruption is allowed in current situation. “No telecom service provider is allowed to disconnect the services in this crisis” was the reply by the TRA to my tweet.
The TRA tweet also stated that if the service disruption occurs the consumer should contact the TRA call centre 81188 and bring the matter into the knowledge of the telecom regulator.
Once you contact the TRA Call Centre they need a complaint no about the nature and telecom services issue but Batelco refused to register a complaint and so the other operators then in such situation where the consumers should go?
Also, Batelco call centre 196 said they have no such instructions from the TRA and the will continue to follow the set procedure of billing and payments irrespective of the COVID-19 crisis situation in the Kingdom.
The consumers are seeking the TRA intervention to stop the onslaught of the telecom operators especially in these extraordinary times.
In this unfortunate situation of virus outbreak, the leadership, the Government, citizens and residents are working as a team to get over this crisis together, Insha Allah, except telecom operators as they need some money perhaps.
