Network OperatorsIdea to move pre-paid customers to per second tariff plan

Idea to move pre-paid customers to per second tariff plan

Idea Cellular is planning to transfer all its pre-paid customers to a per second billing plan within the next 30 days. The move is meant to benefit the 1.5 million people in its user base who are currently on a per-minute scheme, as they will now be charged according to how much they utilize the network.

Idea currently has a total consumer base of 166 million, out of which 157 million are pre-paid. A statement by the company explains that they were offering two kinds of billing earlier as part of a customer-centric approach, but will present only the per second plan to its existing and future patrons from now.

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The shift by Idea is occurring only a few days after Airtel announced a similar change for all its pre-paid users. The new policies are likely the result of TRAI’s inquiry into whether telecom operators are secretly benefiting from call drops. The regulatory authority earlier this month drafted a consultation paper suggesting ways in which consumers could be compensated for the problem.

It received a wide range of comments, with the public strongly backing such a proposal and companies opposing it. A common complaint seen among the feedback was the per-minute billing scheme, where a person could be charged for an entire minute, even though they spoke only for a few seconds. Industry bodies, representing brands like Idea, were against any kind of payback for call drops.

Also See: Airtel and Idea Cellular increase postpaid data prices

According to them, consumers should pay for what they use. Idea has spent over Rs 4050 crore in the current financial year and has made a total investment of Rs 65094 crore in India so far. The network provider plans to aggressively expand its coverage in the future, which includes its upcoming roll out of 4G services by early 2016.

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