According to a press statement from the authority, the event is part of the CRA’s initiatives to educate consumers about their rights and responsibilities.
“This is an opportunity for the CRA to connect with telecom consumers and raise awareness. CRA’s team will be on hand to provide useful tips to help visitors better understand their rights and responsibilities and to educate consumers on other topics related to roaming, spam SMS messages and scam calls,” the statement noted.
Visitors will also be able to lodge telecom complaints against service providers onsite and learn more about the CRA’s complaints resolution process.
The
authority’s stand will also include a special section to connect with
consumers who follow the CRA social media accounts to get their feedback
about the e-awareness campaigns and identify the topics they want to
know more about.
“CRA seeks to balance the rights of consumers with
the obligations of telecom service providers. Consumers need to be aware
of their rights and responsibilities in order to make informed
decisions. I would like to invite all telecom consumers to join us at
the event to know more about their rights and responsibilities,” said
Amel Salem al-Hanawi, the CRA’s Consumer Affairs manager.The outreach event takes place next to Sugar & Spice café, Aspire Park, from 2pm to 9pm on Saturday.
One of the CRA’s consumer protection initiatives is the ‘Arsel’ app. The app has a “user-friendly interface and an extensive range of useful features that gives users the ability to check if there are any network coverage issues reported in their area”. Additionally, the app has speed test functionality that allows users to check Internet speed (Mobile/Wi-Fi) and report this directly to the CRA.
The app also allows users to lodge complaints against service providers using accurate location-based information, follow up on their complaints, send relevant documents and receive updates. The CRA follow a certain resolution process for telecom complaints; consumers with a complaint are free to approach the CRA if a complaint lodged directly to their service provider remains unresolved for 30 calendar days, or if they are dissatisfied with the resolution offered, the statement adds.
Complaints are then assessed by the CRA against a set of criteria to determine if a complaint is valid or not. The authority receives and investigates complaints by working with both consumers and service providers to find a fair and mutually acceptable resolution.
Consumers can contact the CRA in a variety of ways: the 24/7 hotline number is 103, e-mail CRA at [email protected], the ‘Arsel’ mobile application, by tweeting directly to @CRAqatar, CRA’s online complaint form or by visiting the CRA headquarters at Al Nasr Tower B.
