Mobile Operators Reimbursing Up to US$325mn

Argentine mobile operators have started to reimburse clients to the tune of nearly 1bn pesos (US$325mn) following an order from the communications ministry SeCom, local press reported.

The order requires operators to return revenues that came from an unauthorized rates hike, going back to 2000. The operators inappropriately charged users 1% extra to cover the cost of contributions to the universal service fund. However, the operators were expected to divert 1% of revenues to the fund without adjusting prices.

Mobile operators Movistar, Telecom Personal and CTI Móvil have already started to return this amount and trunking operator Nextel has announced plans to start the process.

Personal, a unit of Telecom Argentina, and Movistar, the local unit of Spain's Telefónica Móviles, plan to return the money to each user, while CTI, owned by Mexico's América Móvil, will reimburse the amount by applying discounts to forthcoming bills.

According to press reports, all companies have said they are meeting SeCom's requirements but are not happy with the authority's decision.

BNamericas.com"

Posted to the site on 15th March 2006