Call for ComReg to get more powers

MORE powers should be given to the Communications Regulator to protect the consumers’ interests, according to Simon Coveney, Fine Gael spokesman on communications.

The newly-elected MEP called for immediate talks between ComReg and the Minister for Communications, Dermot Ahern following last week’s shock disclosure that mobile phone operator O2 had overcharged customers by €500,000.

“In the light of all the banking scandals and increasing concern for the welfare of consumers it is vital those discussions are held without delay,” said Mr Coveney.

“If it emerges the regulator requires more powers to police the sector then they should be granted to ensure they have all the powers necessary to safeguard the interests of consumers.”

An O2 spokeswoman said the group will have repaid all of the €500,000 overcharged to customers for roaming services by the end of July.

It will also have a full account of the systems failure that led to the overcharging, with ComReg within the month.

O2 confirmed that 70,000 contract customers had been billed twice for calls received while traveling abroad since late March.

The problem did not affect any of O2’s one million pre-paid customers who made calls abroad.

The double-charging applied to customers who received calls while travelling in Europe since late March.

The problem occurred due to a billing system error and was not disclosed to customers until it was reported in the press on Friday.

O2’s chief executive Ms Danuta Gray said that a systems error had added a sum of up to 500,000 on the bills of about 70,000 customers following a software upgrade.

The company has rectified the problem by applying a software patch and is confident that no more errors will occur.

Mr Coveney said O2 should apologise to the consumers for this latest mess. O2 has confirmed however that it sent a text to the 70,000 customers affected.