NETCOM WIRELESS (PTY) LTD t/a NCW COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES

Definitions

1. “Billing Dispute” means an instance where a Customer states in good faith that their bill contains incorrect charges, payments or adjustments. Billing Disputes are a specific form of Complaint dealt with only in terms of the Billing Disputes Procedure set out herein.
2. “Billing Dispute Notice” means a formal, written notice submitted to NCW by the Customer in terms of this Procedure.
3. “Billing Disputes Procedure” mean the Billing Disputes Procedure set out herein for the initiation and resolution of Billing Disputes.
4. “Billing Inquiry” means the situation where the Customer seeks information or clarification relating to an invoice issued by NCW. including without limitation seeking clarification of charges or sources of usage. For the avoidance of doubt, a Billing Inquiry is not a Billing Dispute.
5. “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a public holiday observed as such in the Republic of South Africa.
6. “Complaint” means a formal, written expression of dissatisfaction or grievance made by a Customer in terms of the General Complaints Procedure, but does not include a request for information or a Billing Dispute. Complaints are dealt with only in terms of the General Complaints Procedure set out herein.
7. “Customer” means an NCW subscriber or potential subscriber.

General Complaints Procedure

8. This Procedure applies to all Complaints other than Billing Disputes, which are dealt with in terms of the Billing Dispute Procedure set out below.
9. The Customer is required to direct a formal Complaint to support@netcomwireless.co.za
10. The Complaint is required to be accompanied by the following:
10.1. The Customer’s full particulars and contact details;
10.2. The Customer’s relationship with NCW, together with any customer reference numbers or details which may be applicable;
10.3. A statement of the reasons for the Complaint, with enough detail to allow NCW to assess these; and
10.4. Any relevant evidence or documentation the Customer wishes to submit in support of the Complaint.
11. Following the ICASA Code of Conduct Regulations, NCW will:
11.1. Acknowledge receipt of the Complaint within three (3) Business Days of the Complaint and allocate a reference number; and
11.2. Determine an outcome for the Complaint and communicate this to the Customer in writing within fourteen (14) Business Days of receipt of the Complaint.

Billing Disputes Procedure General

12. Billing Inquiries should be directed to admin@netcomwireless.co.za and Complaints not related
to Billing Disputes are dealt with under the General Complaints Procedure set out above.
13. The Customer expressly acknowledges and agreed that:
13.1. Any charge recorded on an invoice which is not submitted in accordance with this Billing Disputes Procedure is payable in full to NCW by the due date of that invoice;
13.2. An amount that is not in dispute (“Undisputed Amount”) cannot be withheld for any reason, including without limitation when that amount is on an invoice together with an amount that is in dispute (“Disputed Amount”);
13.3. The Billing Disputes Procedure is only triggered when NCW receives a Billing Dispute, and it is only after this that the Customer may withhold payments of the Disputed Amount only as set out in clause 17; and
13.4. Billing Inquiries, Complaints and requests for information are not considered to be Billing Disputes and do not trigger this Billing Disputes Procedure. Billing Inquiries should be directed to admin@netcomwireless.co.za, Complaints are dealt with under the General
Complaints Procedure set out above, and requests for information can be sent to admin@netcomwireless.co.za
14. Please note that NCW will not entertain any Billing Dispute based on unauthorized use of the services or on unauthorized use of the services by a third party, as it is the Customer’s responsibility to safeguard access to the services received by the Customer and to use such services in the manner set out in the terms and conditions applicable thereto.

Customer Acknowledgements

15. The Customer expressly agrees to allow NCW to attempt settlement of any Billing Dispute within fourteen (14) Business Days before raising a dispute with any third party, credit card NCW or bank. NCW requires and Customer expressly agrees that NCW will be the first option in Billing Disputes. Should NCW receive a charge-back or other reversed charge from a third party, credit card NCW or bank on behalf of the Customer before NCW has been given a chance to resolve the Billing Dispute, then NCW has the right to collect on the rendered services and any fees associated with those charges.
16. Not all Billing Disputes may be settled to the Customer’s satisfaction. Once this Billing Disputes Procedure has been exhausted, a Customer may use any third party, credit card NCW or bank in an attempt to settle the dispute. However, NCW still retains the right to collect on any rendered services
or fees that are due. Should NCW be unable to reverse any disputed amounts with a third party, credit card NCW or bank, NCW will submit the full delinquent amount for collection. Withholding the Disputed Amount
17. The Customer may only withhold payment of a Disputed Amount where NCW receives a valid Billing Dispute Notice relating to such Disputed Amount at least five (5) Business Days prior to the due date recorded on the relevant invoice.

Initiating Billing Disputes

18. A Billing Dispute Notice may be lodged in the manner set out herein until the passing of thirty (30) calendar days from the date of the relevant invoice.
19. The Customer is required to direct a formal Billing Dispute Notice to admin@netcomwireless.co.za
20. The Billing Dispute Notice is required to be accompanied by the following:
20.1. The Customer’s full particulars and contact details;
20.2. The Customer’s relationship with NCW, together with any customer reference numbers or details which may be applicable;
20.3. Invoice number and date;
20.4. The amount in dispute (“the Disputed Amount”);
20.5. The amount not in dispute (“the Undisputed Amount”);
20.6. A statement of the reasons for the Billing Dispute, with enough detail to allow NCW to assess these; and
20.7. Any relevant evidence or documentation the Customer wishes to submit in support of the Billing Dispute.

Response to Billing Dispute Notice

21. In terms of the ICASA Code of Conduct Regulations, NCW will acknowledge receipt of the Billing Dispute Notice within three (3) Business Days and allocate a reference number.
22. NCW shall provide a formal response with its determination to the Billing Dispute Notice within fourteen (14) Business Days following receipt of the Billing Dispute Notice.
23. NCW may request additional information or documentation from the Customer lodging the Billing Dispute Notice, which information or documentation is reasonably required to assist NCW in making
a determination in the matter. The Customer shall provide such information or documentation as soon as possible, and the running of the fourteen (14) Business Day period will be suspended until such time as the requested information or documentation has been received by NCW.
24. NCW will assess the Billing Dispute, and send to the Customer its response (and reasons for such determination), which shall take one of the following forms:
24.1. A confirmation that the Billing Dispute is valid, and a statement indicating such adjustments as may be necessary;
24.2. A rejection of the Billing Dispute Notice on the basis that:
• The Billing Dispute Notice was not received by NCW within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of the relevant invoice, as required in clause 17;
• The Billing Dispute Notice does not contain all of the information required, as set out in clause 20, or was not submitted in the required manner, as set out in clause 19;
• The Customer has not made payment of any Undisputed Amounts, and does not have the right to withhold payment of any Disputed Amounts in accordance with clause 17.
• NCW has confirmation from the Customer that the Billing Dispute which is the subject of the Billing Dispute Notice has been resolved;
• The Customer is disputing any charges on the basis of unauthorized use of the services or on unauthorized use of the services by a third party; or
• NCW reasonably believes that the Customer does not have a bona fide dispute in relation to Billing Dispute submitted.
24.3. Any alternate resolution that NCW deems appropriate.

Response Implications

25. If stipulated in NCW’s response in terms of clause 24 that the Customer must make payment of the Disputed Amount or a portion thereof, the Customer must pay the Disputed Amount or such indicated portion within five (5) Business Days of the date of the NCW’s response.
26. If stipulated under NCW’s response in terms of clause 24 that NCW must withdraw the Disputed Amount or refund a fee already paid, NCW must as soon as practicable:
26.1. Provide the Customer with a statement reflecting the adjustment to their account. It is intended that this adjustment will be contained on the next invoice issued to the Customer, but the parties acknowledge that this may be delayed due to timing issues with the response and NCW’s standard billing terms; or
26.2. Credit any Disputed Amount already paid by the Customer.
Continued Service Provision
27. NCW will not disconnect a service provided to the Customer which is the subject of a Billing Dispute Notice, or take adverse collection procedures or impose late payment penalties or charges, while attempting to resolve a Billing Dispute lodged in terms of the Billing Disputes Procedure and until such
time as NCW has reached a determination and communicated this to the Customer, provided that Undisputed Amounts are paid timorously.
28. NCW reserves the right, however, to take such measures mentioned in clause 27 immediately:
28.1. Where a determination of the Billing Dispute has been made and communicated to the
Customer; or
28.2. Where the Customer has indicated that they are unable to pay the invoice or bill, or have
filed or are the subject of any application to court for sequestration or liquidation, or otherwise seek to reach a formal arrangement with their creditors.