DOHA: A majority 69 percent of respondents said in a survey conducted by the local daily Al Raya that local telecom operators provide poor services compared to those operating in neighbouring countries.
However, 24 percent disagreed and said telecom companies in the country were on a par with those in the neighbouring countries, and 14 percent said services are better here compared to those in neighbouring countries. Some 59.5 percent respondents said signals in outer areas should be made stronger, while 24 percent asked to slash the tariff.
However, a meagre 0.5 percent said there was a need for more promotions by telecom operators.
Major complaints of respondents were about weak signals in some areas, high call rates and lack of mobile towers. Several citizens demanded that the authorities concerned allow more companies to operate in the country to create healthy competition.
The local telecom companies are charging high rates for their services, said Mohsin Al Abdullah, a citizen.
The signal of a telecom operator is very low in some areas, he added.
They are also not offering promotions and schemes regularly and not giving enough advertisements for promotions, he added.
Services of local telecom operators are not up to mark compared to those in neighbouring countries, said Al Abdullah.
Local companies do not consider opinions of customers and do not conduct any survey to know customers’ views to improve their services.
Roaming charges are also high, which should be reduced, said another citizen. And new companies should be allowed to operate in the country to facilitate a healthy competition in telecom sector. It is strange that a company charges more than other one operating in this country and those in the neighbouring country, said Mohammad Al Marri.
The Peninsula
