话费“小额充值”入口难觅，充值甚至出现溢价 “按需充值”的权利如何保障

Core Viewpoint - The increasing difficulty and cost of small-value mobile phone top-ups is raising concerns among consumers, as many platforms have eliminated options for low and customizable recharge amounts, leading to higher minimum thresholds for transactions [2][4][10] Group 1: Consumer Experience - Consumers are finding it challenging to recharge small amounts like 10 yuan, with many platforms now requiring a minimum recharge of 50 yuan [4][10] - The average price for a 10 yuan recharge on third-party platforms is around 11 yuan, indicating a significant markup [4][8] - Users express frustration over the lack of flexibility in recharge options, which they previously enjoyed [2][4] Group 2: Industry Practices - Major platforms like Alipay, WeChat, and official carrier apps have set a minimum recharge limit of 50 yuan, limiting consumer choice [4][10] - The trend of higher recharge thresholds may be driven by cost control and efficiency, as processing multiple small transactions is more expensive than handling fewer large ones [10] - There is a concern that the tightening of small recharge options may be influenced by anti-money laundering measures, as small transactions can be exploited by illicit activities [10] Group 3: Regulatory and Consumer Rights - The practice of setting high minimum recharge amounts may infringe on consumer rights, as it limits their ability to choose how much to spend [5][10] - The recent guidelines from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology emphasize the importance of protecting user rights, suggesting that consumer needs for flexible recharge options should not be overlooked [10]