IMDA investigating Gorilla Mobile for ceasing service without approval
Claudia Chong
THE authorities are investigating virtual telco Gorilla Mobile Singapore for not seeking approval to stop its mobile service, as is required under the licence conditions.
Gorilla earlier this week announced the discontinuation of its local mobile plan with effect from Jan 31, in an email notice to users and on its website.
Its latest notice on the website on Friday (Jan 20) advised customers to “migrate to another provider to maintain uninterrupted service”. It did not state a final date of service.
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) said it has asked Gorilla to fulfil its obligations to users affected by the cessation of their mobile service.
“We understand they have since given the required three months’ notice to affected users,” said an IMDA spokesperson.
Gorilla Mobile has also been asked to provide support to affected users, should they wish to migrate to alternative telco operators.
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Under IMDA’s licensing conditions, a written notice to the regulator is required three months before the licensee intends to terminate any service it provides.
“IMDA takes a serious view of licensees not adhering to their licence requirements and is investigating,” the spokesperson said.
In its notice on its website, Gorilla said it plans to introduce a new e-SIM service at the end of Q1 this year. It is experiencing ongoing changes to its mobile service in Singapore for new upgrades, it added.
Singapore-based Gorilla Networks bills itself as a Web 3-enabled mobile virtual network operator. It says its users can convert unused mobile data into digital assets, which can be redeemed for e-vouchers to offset future bills or for other value-added services.
The startup was acquired last year by Vietnamese tech company Society Pass, which is listed on Nasdaq.
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