ICE Backs Off
On Immediate Cut Of Service Decision
If you don't pay your telephone bill on time
like ICE wants you to, don't worry, the
threat by the state telecom of cutting
service the day after the bill due is not
kosher,
The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad
(ICE) announced last week that beginning
Monday, June 15, all past due telephone
bills would have their service cut.
The cut would come within 24 to 48 hours of
the bills due date, instead of the usual 8
to 10 day grace period ICE has permitted for
years.
The decision by ICE was stopped by the
Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (Sutel)
- the newly created telecom regulator - who
is evaluating the legality of the ICE
decision and as such has ordered ICE not to
implement the rule until further notice.
"ICE cannot cut service as announced until
the Sutel renders a decision", said Elbert
Durán, a spokesperson for ICE.
Walter Herrera, a member of the Sutel, said
that the regulator is looking into the
legality of the ICE action.
The Defensoría de los Habitantes
(Ombudsman's office) has also come out
opposing the ICE measure.
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