Telecoms firm CSL failed in its latest attempt to silence one of its customers at the sixth attempt in a two-year dispute over a lack of transparency in the operator's pricing plans.
Disgruntled customer Ben Sargent rebuffed CSL's sweetened HK$197 settlement offer, up from a previous HK$23, at the Small Claims Tribunal yesterday.
Sargent, who works for an investment bank, also refused to sign the operator's gagging clause. He offered to end the dispute for HK$1,000 without signing a confidentiality agreement.
He said he was taking his action on principle: "This isn't only about overcharging for these calls. It is about setting a precedent. If the court agrees, they must be held to their tariff. Any future [or past] overcharges will be easily claimable."
The original dispute focuses on HK$345 for a 43-minute call Sergeant made to what he says was a toll-free British number, and HK$2,540 in roaming charges that he said were higher than CSL's published rates. He later reduced the amount he was claiming to HK$49.94 and a refund of the toll-free charge of HK$352.60.
It is believed to be the first legal action over lack of transparency in a telecom provider's fees.