It said that free international calls are prohibited, harmful and has grave consequences for competition. So therefore, providing free international roaming will harm the management and customers of STC, Zain and Mobily.

Furthermore, the companies should be mindful of the harm they are causing to themselves, their profits and clientele.

According to the statement, the three companies should ensure the cost of international calls are at least 50 percent more than the cost of local calls. Therefore, any company that dares to reduce the cost of international calls for its customers will be punished because CITC rules do not allow for such offers. It seems the CITC is solely concerned with ensuring the three companies strictly adhere to its regulations, even if it means sucking dry the customers’ blood.

The only thing that matters is the rules, not the subscriber, even though the commission is a government body that has failed to justify itself.

We are waiting for the Consumer Protection Association (CPA) to come to the aid of the subscribers. The head of the CPA said he would issue a statement next week. We now wait to see whether he will support or attack the CITC’s unjust decision.

What is even more difficult to understand was a statement made by an official source at the Council for the Protection of Competitiveness, which is a public-private organization.

He said the CITC ruling did not violate any rules governing competition at all. He also urged the three companies to respect the decision.

Throughout the world, governments are keen to ensure companies do not exploit consumers. They closely monitor the actions of service providers to ensure customers do not suffer.

The governments know that competition will always benefit the people. Therefore, they encourage companies to reduce prices. It is for this reason that I cannot understand our competition watchdog’s support for the CITC ruling.