Credit worth £5 should remain on Manx Telecom mobile phones to protect vulnerable people.

That’s the view of Jason Moorhouse, MHK for Castletown and Malew, who will raise the issue at a meeting with the telecoms provider’s chief executive, Gary Lamb, this week.

At present, top up credit on MT mobile phones expires after 90 days.

People who use their mobile phones infrequently or in emergency situations may not realise until it’s too late and they go to use their mobile phone only to discover they have no credit..

Mr Moorhouse said: ’Three separate constituents have now raised concerns with me about MT "gobbling up" the credit on their phones which they have kept ready for an emergency. 

’One constituent has asked if I can raise awareness of this issue. I will be meeting with Gary Lamb and I will discuss this problem’

He said: ’At the moment whether £5 or more of credit is bought - it will only remain on the card for 90 days. Three months after the credit is purchased it will be removed automatically, potentially leaving you with no credit for calls or texts when they are needed,

’This policy appears to be having a disproportional impact on some of the most vulnerable people. Customers who only make a minimal number of calls are advised to limit their credits to £5. 

’I will ask why the credit is removed and whether a £5 minimum credit can be protected.’

He told the Examiner that his main concern with Manx Telecom’s current system is that ’when a person pays for credit they expect it to be available when the need it and this is not guaranteed’.

He added: ’I recognise the operator is quite clear on how the charging system works, but from my perspective too many people find out when it is too late.

’I will be meeting with Mr Lamb and I will ask whether the system can be changed.’

He claimed that the telecom providers’ ’duty of care and integrity is under question’.

’While 90 days looks a reasonable time from a commercial perspective, I worry for the vulnerable in society, who need this credit when there is an emergency and to allow them to feel safe this a real concern,’ he said.

’These people should have peace of mind and feel that the island’s large companies are there to protect and look after them.’

A Manx Telecom spokesman said: ’We acknowledge Mr Moorhouse’s concerns and have contacted him directly about this matter.

’As always, our customer experience team are happy to address concerns raised by our valued customers.

’It’s important to note that our pay as you go bundles compare favourably to other local and UK national mobile providers.’

The spokesman added: ’Choosing a pay as you go tariff is a convenient option for many of our mobile customers - and the service is provided in accordance with the terms and conditions that each customer accepts when they choose that tariff.’