Prepaid mobile users in Qatar are calling on authorities to intervene and protect their rights by making telecommunications services more affordable and customer-friendly. A growing number of concerns have emerged over the short validity period of credit balances provided by telecom companies, prompting many users to demand change.
Following a report by The Peninsula, numerous comments on social media platforms highlighted frustration with the current prepaid packages. Many customers expressed dissatisfaction with rates and package terms, urging the authorities to address these issues. One commenter, Abdullah Khattak, expressed concern about the collective impact of these policies, while Shahbaz Haider called for a third telecom company to increase competition.
The credit validity for prepaid services, which ranges from QR10 to QR80 (for one company) and QR10 to QR99 (for the other), is set at just 30 days. This means that users’ credit balances expire after one month unless used. A recharge of QR100 or more extends the validity to 90 days, but customers still need to recharge again to maintain credit balance validity.
One frustrated customer shared their experience: “I recharged with QR80 but didn’t need to use much credit due to constant internet at home and work. Yet, the credit balance expired after a month.” Many users are now calling for a minimum validity period of 90 days.
On social media, users voiced their concerns, with some suggesting that the market’s duopoly contributes to the issue. Durmush Uludogan noted, “Maybe the market needs a third telecom company, another competitor.” Others echoed the sentiment, saying that both companies’ monopolistic practices discourage meaningful customer feedback and stifle flexibility.
Industry experts have acknowledged the issue, highlighting that while Qatar’s mobile market is advanced, the short validity period for prepaid services is a barrier for casual users seeking flexibility without frequent recharges. Mariam Al Hamadi, a tech industry analyst, noted, “Short validity on prepaid services seems like a business strategy, but it’s ultimately frustrating for users who want more flexibility, especially those who use their phones infrequently.”
Frequent recharge cycles create stress for users, especially for those who don’t rely on mobile services daily. Experts argue that the short validity period results in users paying for services they don’t fully use. The inconvenience is particularly frustrating for infrequent users, such as tourists or those with limited mobile usage.
Telecommunications specialists suggest that Qatar’s prepaid market could benefit from extending the validity period, ensuring more customer-centric services that align with consumer expectations for convenience. Shorter validity periods may drive users toward postpaid plans, which could lead to higher costs for those who don’t use mobile services regularly.
In conclusion, many prepaid users feel trapped by the short validity terms, and the growing frustration could negatively impact the reputation of mobile providers in Qatar. Extended validity periods and more flexible plans could help improve customer satisfaction and retain long-term prepaid users.
