Petition to High Court seeks compensation for mobile call drops

A group of people has filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging the validity of increasing mobile-phone call charges without the consent of customers.

The petition also calls into question the operators’ reluctance to compensate the subscribers for call drops. The petitioners also sought directives to restrict ‘annoying’ SMS.

The petition submitted on Wednesday asked for directives to supervise, monitor and take effective measures to protect the rights of mobile phone users by forming a committee of experts.

In addition, a rule has been sought asking why the failure of the defendants to protect the rights of mobile phone users should not be deemed illegal.

The petition asks for the formation of a separate committee to assess the amount of financial losses suffered by users due to call drops. It also asks for compensation.

Along with this, a ban has been sought on the further increase in call-related charges and the sending out of unsolicited SMS to mobile subscribers.

The telecommunication secretary, the BTRC chairman and CEOs of Grameenphone, Robi Axiata, Banglalink and Teletalk have been named as defendants in the petition.