OFTA call time on “unlimited” internet plans

Broadband internet service providers will not be allowed to restrict access (note 1) to subscribers who sign up for (note 2) so-called “unlimited use” service plans that, in effect, do impose (加強給) certain limits, the telecom regulator said yesterday.

 

The latest policy guidelines form the Office of the Telecommunications Authority spell the end to (note 3) such plans.

 

They are aimed at improving transparency (透明度), as well as allowing users to make better choices on how service providers implement the “fair usage policy”.

 

Aimed at giving users equal access to the internet, in terms of connection speed and quality of service, contracts signed on or after February 13 have to be bound by the new guidelines (note 4).

 

At present, some subscribers who use unlimited mobile data packages even connect their smartphones to laptops for internet access, adding to the burden (note 5) on mobile networks.

 

“A permissible example is “unlimited plan for data usage up to two gigabytes” as long as their network can facilitate access”, said assistant director Danny Lau Kwong-cheong.

 

Such plans will be banned unless customers agree to the terms. Service providers will be obliged (有責任) to notify users should they want to lower the internet speed.  Download speeds must not be below 128 kb per second.

 

Existing contracts will not be affected. Should service providers want to amend contracts, they must give 30 days’ notice to customers, who will have 15 days to end the contracts without penalties.

 

OFTA has received 160 complaints last year and 74 in the first 10 months of this year. Providers such as Hutchison Telecom, 3 Hong Kong and CSL said they will study the new guidelines.

 

Internet Society Hong Kong chairman Charles Mok Nai-kwong said service providers underestimated usage (note 6).

 

(note 1) restrict access-限制進入

I am restricted to advising=我只限於勸導

It has a very restricted application=它的應用範圍很窄

 

(note 2) sign up for=簽合同, 入會, 訂閱

 

(note 3) spell the end to=宣佈年代結束

Spell=帶來, 意味 add up to ; signify

Victor’s unwise investment could spell financial ruin. Our failure is likely to spell heavy losses=我們的失敗可能招致重大的損失

Spell danger=招致危險

Spell out=詳細說明, 清楚地說明

 

(note 4) bound by the new guidelines=由新指引規限

Advance by leaps and bounds=進步飛躍

Keep within bounds=使不過度, 約束

Out of bounds=越界, 越軌

 

(note 5) adding to the burden=加重壓力

Add to=添加

 

(note 6) underestimated usage=低估使用量

Underestimate 的相反詞有 exaggerate, maximize, overestimate 等