*** Bahrain TRA settles 286 complaints in 9-months | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Bahrain TRA settles 286 complaints in 9-months

The Consumer Affairs Director of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) Shaikh Abdulla bin Humood Al Khalifa said that the total number of complaints resolved in cooperation with the telecommunications companies in Bahrain over the past nine months (January to September 2015) amounted to 286. The Consumer Affairs Directorate received a total of 296 complaints during the period.

Shaikh Abdulla also said, “We have improved the performance level by cutting out 10 days to close consumer complaints in an average of 18 days by the end of the third quarter of 2015, when compared to 28 days in the same period of 2014”.

He outlined that billing complaints represent the largest 33 per cent of the total complaints received during the first half, while QoS complaints represent 24pc, roaming complaints 11pc, contract issue complaints 9pc, number portability complaints 5pc, fraud complaints 8pc and other issues 10pc.

Shaikh Abdulla also stated that TRA has initiated a project to review and monitor the billing system and procedures of the licenced operators. TRA is also working on a number of initiatives such as developing a platform to monitor quality of services round the clock from five locations around Bahrain and improving the quality of service regulation by setting target for licenced operators to meet. As for roaming complaints, TRA is currently finalising additional regulatory measures to safeguards consumer from outlying roaming charges and prevent roaming bill-shocks.

Commenting on the progress, authorities said in a statement: “TRA is keen to effective and rapid response in solving all types of complaints in a short period which reflects TRA’s policy towards an interactive relationship with the citizens and meet the current generation’s requirements through all means of communications.”

TRA said it consistently encourages consumers to submit unresolved complaints, inquiries and suggestions through all its channels of communications, by calling 81188 or by e-mail consumer@ tra.org.bh and through TRA’s website ww.tra.org.bh