MPs call for phone rental to be slashed

MPs yesterday called on the telecoms regulator to allow the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CyTA) to reduce its fixed monthly charges for landlines after it emerged that consumers pay up almost double the amount on fixed charges than they do on calls.

“Once again, we have stressed that it is unheard of for Cypriots to pay €16 monthly on fixed charges for landline telephones,” said the chairman of the House Commerce Committee, DISY’s Lefteris Christoforou.

“Many are forced to interrupt their contracts because of these charges.”

He said CyTA agreed to the need to reduce them, but the Telecommunications Regulator was opposed to it.

“We have told the regulator to return with specific proposals on how to reduce it,” said Christoforou. “Last year, CyTA received €55 million from fixed charges and €30 million from calls. So fixed charges were almost double; this is a distortion and needs to be resolved. CyTA agrees and we hope the regulator does too.”

EDEK’s George Varnava said €16 in fixed charges was too much.

“The regulator, who is supposed to protect healthy competition in this sector, should give CyTA the right to reform its policy,” said Varnava.

DIKO’s Angelos Votsis said his party had suggested CyTA creates packages, like other private telecom companies, which include landlines.

“CyTA accepted it, we are waiting to see how the regulator responds,” said Votsis.

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