More protection for Singapore consumers

Singapore – The Media Development Authority (MDA) is putting into effect guidelines to its Media Market Conduct Code (MMCC) from 1 March next year, offering greater protection for consumers. This move comes on the back of a growing Pay-TV market, which has seen the number of subscribers increase from 490,000 in Dec 2006 to more than 857,000 today, and also a 150 per cent increase in the number of Pay-TV channels over the last four years. Under the new guidelines, Pay-TV retailers may implement a maximum subscription contract length of two years, consumers who wish to terminate their contracts before the stipulated period should not have to pay excessive charges. These regulations will enable consumers to switch Pay-TV retailers more easily, while protecting their interest especially with regard to reasonable early termination charges (ETCs) should they wish to end their contracts prematurely.