Due to installment restrictions and high taxes, the use of unregistered mobile phones in Turkey has reached record levels. While it is estimated that the number of unregistered mobile phones has exceeded 3 million, it is stated that this situation causes a tax loss of more than 30 billion TL per year for the state. New installment regulations seem likely to further strain consumers' budgets.
NEW REGULATION PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE
According to the regulation published in the Official Gazette yesterday, installment restrictions for mobile phones have been reorganized. The number of installments has been limited to 3 months for refurbished phone models over 25,000 TL and for new phone models over 20,000 TL. In addition, various regulations have been introduced for vehicle installments:
- Vehicles 400,000 TL and under: Maximum 48 months of installments.
- Vehicles between 400,000 TL and 800,000 TL: Maximum 36 months of installments.
- Vehicles between 800,000 TL and 1.2 million TL: Maximum 24 months of installments.
- Vehicles between 1.2 million TL and 2 million TL: Maximum 12 months of installments.
UNREGISTERED PHONE USE IS INCREASING
According to the news in Sözcü; Mustafa Kemal Turnacı, President of the Mobile Communication Devices and Information Technologies Businessmen's Association (MOBİSAD), pointed out that installment restrictions drive consumers toward illegal phones. Turnacı said, “When there was no installment restriction, the number of illegal phones was very low. However, today this figure has reached 3 million units. Consumers are forced to turn to unregistered and non-guaranteed products due to high prices.” Turnacı argued that providing a 12-month installment option for all mobile phones, regardless of price, would reduce informality.
CRITICISM OF CONSUMER RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Mehmet Bülent Deniz, President of the Consumer Union Federation, harshly criticized the installment restrictions. Deniz stated, “Communication is now a vital and basic need. Restricting access to this need by the state is an interference with universal consumer rights.” Stating that policies aimed at curbing demand to lower inflation put consumers in an even more difficult situation, Deniz asked, “How much tighter will you squeeze our throats?”
News Source: 12punto
