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TELCO GIANT EIR has complained to the European Commission over the Irish communications watchdog’s clampdown on costly helpline numbers, claiming it breached European laws with its intervention.
ComReg recently ruled that from 1 December 2019, calls made to so-called non-geographic numbers (NGNs) with the prefixes 1850, 1890, 0818 and 076 must cost no more than a call made to a landline number.
This means that mobile service operators must include NGNs in customer bundle packages that provide calls to landlines, meaning that no extra charges will general apply for the special numbers.
An investigation by ComReg concluded that these numbers – which are mainly used for public service helplines and banking – are confusing to consumers.
It found that many people have experienced “bill shock” because they are unaware of the high charges incurred on NGN calls made from mobile phones.
Complaints
During the consultation period on the new rules, several mobile service providers objected to the proposed changes and accused ComReg of overstepping its authority.
Former state-owned Eir accused the watchdog of “going beyond the scope of its powers”, complaining that the regulator does not have the authority to prescribe what must be included in mobile bundle packages.
It also claimed that ComReg is “attempting to circumvent” European Union laws related to accessing NGNs throughout the trade bloc.
Noting the end of roaming charges in 2017, Eir said that EU rules dictate that national regulatory authorities must consult interested parties across the union to “ensure that decisions at national level do not have adverse effect on the single market”.
Eir said in its submission that it has “commenced engagement with the European Commission in relation to this matter”.
Mobile service provider Three echoed Eir’s complaints over ComReg’s new rules, saying that the commission was proposing an “intrusive intervention” by forcing companies to include NGN calls in customer packages.
“This is an aggressive intervention that purports to directly limit retail services providers’ ability to determine the price, price structure and configuration of consumer bundles they charge for different call types,” the company claimed.
Vodafone Ireland said in its submission that the proposal “will result in operators being expected to carry non-geo calls while losing money on every call”.
“This is clearly a disproportionate solution to a retail problem and, we believe, an action in excess of ComReg’s powers,” it said.
This not the first time telcos have clashed with the regulator. As previously reported by Fora, several firms rounded on ComReg last year, complaining of “serious failures”, weakness and under-staffing at the body.
Consolidation
As well as clamping down on the cost of NGN calls from mobiles, ComReg proposed reducing the number of prefixes from five to just two – 0819 and freephone 1800.
Companies that use the other numbers have been given three years to prepare for the changeover. However some utility providers that use NGNs for information and emergency service lines complained about the proposed timeframe.
Irish Water said it “firmly opposed” the removal of 1850 numbers.
It claimed the move would have “serious cost implications” for the company as it would have to migrate its customer service and emergency service numbers, which could have “safety implications for the general public”.
A similar complaint was made by Gas Networks Ireland, which is part of Ervia, the same parent group of Irish Water.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities – which uses several 1850 numbers for various safety hotlines – also raised concerns over the practicality of consolidating NGNs to just two prefixes.
It said altering the number for its emergency service line for reporting suspected gas leaks within three years “would be a significant and costly undertaking to the point that it would be unrealistic within the proposed timelines”.
Written by Conor McMahon and posted on Fora.ie
Good article! I think Facebook etc have a lot to answer for in making us feel we have to project to the world a shiny happy image, built on our relationships/holidays/interesting pursuits, as if any of those things amount to real self-contentment. Not to mention how bad it makes people feel who don’t have or do those things.
Yeah but I am a long way from home and i am in contact with relatives who i would not be otherwise (truth be told i would have no more contact with them really if i lived in the same country but there you go)
facebook has many positive aspects is the point i want to make
Yeah Facebook is great for that. I’m not dissing it as a whole, just the culture of unrealistic positivity to which it contributes
I really needed to read this… My god, my life seems in bits at the moment.. sometimes for no reason I just start crying… And feel so down and alone and frightened… And yet there is no reason for this.. It’s overwhelming… and so damn confusing..
Thanks for the article…. I’m going to read it again.
http://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/finding-support.html – for links to a lot of the services that provide supports. Just thought I’d post it – it’s amazing sometimes how good it is to talk to a stranger. Take care.
This too shall pass….
Debi – hope things get better
@ Debi.. that’s all of us at some stages in our lives.. Don’t despair.. I think most people, whether they admit it or not, suffer on and off like you’ve described… I know I have and I always say to myself … ‘tommorrow will be a better day’….worry/stress/depression is something I really wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy but I think the majority of the population suffer these emotions so you aren’t alone believe me! Great article Journal ..
The world keeps on turning, it may be on the dark side now, but it has to turn back around to face the sun at some point.
Change always comes, sometimes we just have to sit tight through the darkness until dawn.
Make sure to get outside when it’s light, see some good friends, have a laugh (and a cry), eat some fresh foods and get some rest.
Things have to get better sooner or later :)
Thanks Dave…. I just hope it’s just a silly phase I’m going through. The article gave me some insight. Really appreciate the kind words.
Thanks Joan, The article gave me some insight. Really appreciate the kind words. As the article mentions, we’ve forgotten how to make real friends and as a community we’ve lost touch with those around us… But surprisingly there are still so many good and kind people out there… Strangers but yet still willing to say something friendly and kind.
I think you are a wise person, Shanti :-)
Hey Debi, wow… it’s great you’re so honest. I’m starting to work as a mental skills coach and I’ve been interviewing people and their patterns of thinking etc to get experience. I’d love to interview you on skype if possible? I’ll be using the experience to work with people who have similar challenges so I’d appreciate any help possible : ) Any questions, let me know. Thanks!
Just invite her for a drink Ronan…
Brilliant article.
Here Seanie, how is it you’ve packed in the trolling in the last few weeks??
It’s a most welcome development.
Excellent article.
I’m aware it was not said with complete seriousness, but not sure America is really to blame here, we’ve been very quick to raise a whole generation of our own with overly high expectations and inflated self esteem. We’ve also been quick to believe that taking a load of pills is the best way to ‘cure sadness’.
some pills will make ya very happy Tim , a welcome distraction but they aint legal if you catch my drift
Happiness as an everyday state of mind is an illusion.
I’ll settle for contentment every time.
The American way of eternal optimism has probably landed the world in the financial mess we’re in. Contentment has a lot to be said for it. People always striving for more tend to never be happy.
I can’t agree with you. We were brainwashed to borrow money and consume, banks lended money but for their own gain, Then you have utter pr1cks like inda blaming his fellow countrymen abroad in return for a fat salary and pension.
The same was going on elsewhere around the world. We got stung here more as a small country. Watch wall Street 2 – Oliver Stone does a good job of explaining the reason behind the mess
The creation of the corporate veil is the real culprit.
In fairness, whilst I realise that we are paying a huge price for catastrophic eejitism of the highest proportions, I really dont think that you can trace this human development back to Enda Kenny …
The American way of eternal optimism was not in evidence in the 50 years I spent there. What I saw was the message that “You’re not quite right unless you get one of *these*! Then you have a chance to be happy. It can be a car, a house, a feminine deodorant spray, glue for false teeth, or Coca-Cola. Doesn’t matter. The message is “You’re incomplete without our product.”
Didn’t see too many happy faces at the Kennedy’s funerals. At 9/11. At Hurricane Katrina. Those were certainly “This too shall pass” moments.
Today, Americans are more worried about their future than at any other time I can remember. Enormous debt. Falling currency. Surveillance state/security state. They”re paranoid, inward-turning, and not exactly optimistic. Like the Irish, they’ve lost faith in their institutions–the banks, the government and the church. In God We Fuss should be the new motto.
Couldn’t agree more. ‘Man was made for Joy and Woe; And when this we rightly know, Thro’ the world we safely go.’
Yes i believe sadness is a part of life just as happiness is but should we really be blaming Americans and their “shiny white teeth” for thinking otherwise?
Well maybe not their teeth, but yes.
Great article. It’s a bit of an aha moment isn’t it. What are we doing going around thinking we should be happy every moment of our lives. The pressure to be positive isn’t very positive. Thanks much respect.
all you need is love.
sounds like hippy shite, but if you know some people love you, you can cope with just about anything.
Its what i strive to create for my kids anyway
oh and that means giving the people you love your time and your ears – you cannot do this on remote control
Good article . in times of hardship or sadness,I always remind myself that the time and feeling will pass
It’s definitely a cultural problem and possibly one informed by religion. Catholicism is based on finding eternal happiness, seeking an eased conscience by confessing sins, the Protestant ethic holds that God rewards the righteous with material goods.
Culturally, we place importance on challenging authority, valuing freedom of speech over traditional norms.
Eastern cultures have a more passive outlook and are more accepting of the idea that we are a small part of something much bigger, they place more importance on societal happiness than that of the individual.
Yes, I know you have outliers such as China (who are racing towards western style caplitalism) North Korea (just facepalm really) etc. But generally, if you’re brought up to accept that life ebbs and flows, you’ll ironically end up much happier by using the tough times as a means of embracing the happier ones.
We need TO accept that.
Never accept mistakes.
Agee completely, good article. Teaching people distress tolerance skills is important as too many people spend their existences trying to avoid unpleasant feelings which only prolongs their distress.
‘Distress tolerance skills’
Hehehehe, would that be psychobabble for coping??
It would surely, psychobabble at its finest, took me a long time to learn that..!
And a session or two with a ‘life coach’ …
Good fix, journal.
Maybe he did Dara, I presume you will find out all about that in time when your little world of opportunistic sniping online becomes obvious to you that it’s just a finger or a highlight of your clearly mental issue
You’re not of the Eastern school of thought then …
My oh my, there is a huge irony in the total absence of humor in your post in this thread.
What has you bitter my son? Tell me about your mother …
Good article.
Without the bad times how’s can we ever appreciate the good? Great piece!
Exactly, Michael Looney!
:(
Also facile anti-American rhetoric is very unattractive. Of course there are things wrong with the US – but in my experience with American colleagues, they have an honesty and enterprising nature that is lacking in this country. If anything I think we Irish could learn from our friends across the Atlantic: to be more honest, more authentic and less emotionally evasive.
I find this article a bit tired and minimising, to be honest. Some of us are not just “sad”, we have temperaments which make the vicissitudes of Irish life, itself shot through with injustice and moving goalposts, very hard to bear. I’m not a drummer boy for big pharma, but if we are suffering from mental ill-health and medication helps to stabilise us, then to have recourse to it should not be a matter of penalty. To accuse us of evading the natural rhythms of life is trite, Jesuitical and cruel. And I really don’t see what the internet has to do with it. Of course it can alienate, but it can also bond people together and create wonderful relationships.
The emotion I am happy to embrace and accept is the one of anger, and this article gives me some. He is calling mentally ill people cowards, and that falsehood makes me growl in the back of my throat.
“Despite their continued failure to understand how psychiatric drugs work, doctors continue to tell patients that their troubles are the result of chemical imbalances in their brains. As Frank Ayd pointed out, this explanation helps reassure patients even as it encourages them to take their medicine, and it fits in perfectly with our expectation that doctors will seek out and destroy the chemical villains responsible for all of our suffering, both physical and mental. The theory may not work as science, but it is a devastatingly effective myth” ~ http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/09/psychiatry-prozac-ssri-mental-health-theory-discredited.html
On a biochemical level to help stabilize mood it is diet that needs to be worked on and exercise etc but there is no magic pill to cure Life ~ http://www.foodforthebrain.org/nutrition-solutions/depression.aspx
Sunscreen.
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