Gov’t bans mobile operators from activating paid services without consent

Under the new regulations, paid additional content services may only be activated by users themselves, either through mobile applications of operators or via USSD codes. Automatic activation of services without confirmed subscriber consent is no longer permitted, nor is the conversion of initially free services into paid ones.

The updated rules also require that all paid services offered to subscribers by content providers be initially disabled by default. Operators are barred from charging subscription fees or service fees if a subscriber’s account balance is insufficient.

In addition, the amendments prohibit mobile operators from allowing the personal accounts of individual subscribers to fall into a negative balance as a result of subscription fee deductions or service charges.

The changes also introduce several consumer-friendly measures. Subscribers will now be able to call the hotlines of the president’s virtual reception free of charge and around the clock. Meanwhile, the time required to transfer a mobile number between networks has been significantly reduced to 20 minutes, down from the previous limit of up to eight hours.

The new regulations will enter into force three months after their official adoption.