Why do we still pay for itemised billing?

[Fudzy]

I can understand why they charged for this service in the beginning, data warehousing wasn't such a big deal back then and we all got paper bills so the additional printing costed more but surely the service providers must have amortised the costs of the infrastructure by now? Is it connected to the whole interconnect thing?

[rakabos3]

Profit, why do u think

[Slootvreter]

All about the money.

[sanimoyo]

Isn't optional to be on itemised billing, hence the cost?

[The_Unnamed]

Isn't optional to be on itemised billing, hence the cost?

As far as i know most, if not all contracts are mandatory with it now.

[lcbxx]

On MTN you can view your unbilled itemised bill online right up to the billing run (usually the 7th of the month) before it resets, without paying for it.

[Fudzy]

On MTN you can view your unbilled itemised bill online right up to the billing run (usually the 7th of the month) before it resets, without paying for it.

Thanks, currently with MTN via NM (contract up next month thankfully). It's not that the cost really concerns me, just suprised that consumer groups aren't that phased by it.

[YingYang]

The question is why are you guys still on contract

That's so 1998!

[abdul89]

its like the R9.50 they charge you for CLI. Quite idiotic.

[Chevron]

The question is why are you guys still on contract

That's so 1998!

Life's too short to worry about cap(airtime).

[Fudzy]

Life's too short to worry about cap(airtime).

This. Though come to think of it, getting airtime HAS become a lot easier since the last time I was on prepaid (+/- 10 years ago) I've always used the contract to subsidise a new handset every two years. Aren't airtime rates more expensive than contract rates?

[lcbxx]

its like the R9.50 they charge you for CLI. Quite idiotic.

During my last upgrade I kakked myself over the CLI cost, threatening to cancel my contract, and they waivered it.

[encrypted]

Be on the lookout for two government laptops at pawn shops:

[Fudzy]

Be on the lookout for two government laptops at pawn shops:

Wrong thread?

[Bern]

Considering they have to keep the records for many years and to email the list costs almost nothing it is kind of ridiculous - especially if you are on a contract where they are getting a guaranteed income from you each month. snailmail, sure you can bill, but not for electronic delivery.

Anyone able to comment on the legal side, surely they are supposed to provide you with reasonable billing detail without charge?