Measures to Improve Service Quality of Poor Performing Telcos
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns MP Melvin Yong Yik Chye’s inquiry into improving telecommunication service quality following IMDA's publication of consumer feedback statistics and whether maximum waiting times should be mandated. Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo responded that transparency helps consumers make informed choices and encourages providers to improve or face customers switching services. She highlighted the Alternative Dispute Resolution Scheme as a mechanism to incentivize providers to resolve contractual disputes with their consumers in a timely manner. Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo also noted that IMDA monitors various customer service standards and network quality performance to ensure improvements. Ultimately, IMDA will continue to assess performance over time to determine if high standards are maintained across the telecommunications market.
Transcript
32 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Communications and Information arising from IMDA's inaugural publication of statistics on telecommunication service providers' handling of consumer feedback (a) what will be done to improve the service quality of the poorest performing telcos; and (b) whether IMDA will impose on telcos a maximum waiting time for their hotline or live chat to better protect consumers' interests.
Mrs Josephine Teo: The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) seeks to enable a vibrant and competitive telecommunications market, in order to improve service quality and to protect consumers’ interests.
In this regard, IMDA’s inaugural publication of statistics on telecommunication service providers’ handling of consumer feedback is a new initiative that provides increased transparency on an important aspect of telecommunication service providers’ performance. This is intended to help consumers make more informed decisions when choosing a service provider. IMDA has also published other performance reports, for example, the publication of statistics on service providers' network quality performance, since 2007.
Telecommunication service providers are, ultimately, responsible for attending to their own customers and resolving their complaints. If they do not improve their customer service, consumers can and do vote with their feet and switch to other service providers. In addition, IMDA has set up an Alternative Dispute Resolution, or ADR Scheme, to further incentivise telecommunication service providers to resolve contractual disputes with their consumers in a timely manner. Hence, IMDA will monitor service performance over time, including various customer service standards, to assess if improvements are made and if high standards are maintained.