Allegations of misleading advertising by cellular operators are to be investigated by the Department of Trade and Industry's consumer affairs committee.

According to Monday's Business Report, the investigation stems from complaints from customers about the practices of cellular companies, and relates to monthly costs.

A spokesperson for the Communication Users Association of SA welcomed the move, and told the daily they assumed the probe related to special offers by the operators, where phones and contracts were offered for as low as R35 per month, but with added costs such as itemised billing and caller line identification, as well as increased subscription rates the next year.

DTI director of consumer investigations Ebrahim Mohamed told Business Report the department was calling for comment from cellular service providers and interested parties, and the consumer affairs committee would then draft a report.

Business Report added that cellphone call prices and handset subsidies are already under investigation by the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa).

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