I have been observing a trend of aggressive marketing and advertisement by the mobile operators in Pakistan. 50 paisa, 3 paisa, 1 paisa. Trying to one-up other competitors, the advertisements emphasise the lowest possible rate to grab attention.
In reality the low rates being advertised come with many conditions. To figure it out one has to read the fine print carefully. I think this is unfair to the consumers and we need to criticize this trend which some may characterize as deceptive marketing. Have a look at these sample advertisements given with this post. Click on the photos for their enlarged image and good luck with the fine print.
Over the years mobile service packages have become difficult to understand. It used to be pre-pay & postpay and in-network & out-of-network. Now there is the option of lower price for pre-defined numbers (usually in-network) such as family and friends. Then there is the billing duration which used to be 1 minute in good old days. Not anymore. The rates advertised are usually based on lowest billing duration (say 30 seconds) and may only be valid during certain times (e.g. Paktel’s Power Hours are 7 pm – 10 pm). The billing duration for the same package can vary for in-network and out of network calls!
Given all of the complexity, it is difficult for a common person to easily understand and compare these plans. I mean who has time to analyze all of this (except your truly)? My guess is that most of the time people get upset but carry on with their busy lives. Wouldn’t it be fair if all the operators advertisements included the rate for 1 minute call clearly? How about being more up-front and making the fine print a bit less fine?
I think this problem is common to all operators, therefore all of them should share the responsibility to create a baseline standard. Better to fix this now before the regulator (PTA) is asked to step in.
See earlier ATP Post on ‘Dangerous Advertising’.
Nobody can match most of the advertisers and politicians in Pakistan in making false promises. They believe in “you can fool all the people all the time” (sorry to Abraham Lincoln).
Clearly you haven’t seen the antics Rogers & bell run in Canada.
Anything is better than that. A chameleon telling me about its color will probably more truthful than either of the two mentioned above.
Most of companies are addvertisng their companies but everyone are not number 1 Because peoples want advantage from these companies,they will
want taht who gives them benefit and best pakage they use that.
Advertising is a good way of marketing.But it is peoples thinking and peoples wants,quantity and quality also.Which they are like.
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An organization to protect and promote the interests of all Pakistani consumers - by educating them about their rights and by providing them independent information.
Cellular companies are only using fine prints…..what about a multinational in Pakistan using emotional blackmail to sell consumer products. “Every time you buy one of these products, a specific sum will be contributed for equipping child-care clinics……” It’s good that companies have started realizing their social responsibility but using this as a blatant marketing strategy should not be allowed.
The cellular market in Pakistan has gone through very rapid growth. Now mobile phone service is not only for the elite but has become a necessity for almost all segments of the society. Now a cell phone is owned and used by people belonging to very diversified economic groups.
The plethora of charging plans; the cellular companies are trying to address the individual needs of each target market. The competition to acquire new customers and to retain the existing one has become so fierce that now the cellular operators have to fight for small groups. They must listen to individual needs, in one’s local language and must know how many cash is in my pocket. The result: too many charging plans. And frankly I think that’s good, because there will always be something which will fit my pocket.
I am sure if we are unable to weigh the true cost to benefit ratio of…say for example…a 50 Rupees upgrade for an additional 300 SMS messages per month…there would be a target audience…like young school going children…with not too much disposal income…they belong an altogether separate user group and will definitely respond to this upgrade. Bottom line: There can’t be only one charging solution for all the user segments.