The prepaid segment of telecom subscribers can now take a breather. Coming as a major relief, the TRAI recently announced a series of measures that will improve the transparency in tariff charges for prepaid mobile customers. Assuring better service, hidden charges in recharge coupons may just be a thing of the past.
TRAI issued the Tariff Order and Direction as a move to protect the consumer’s interest. It will come in effect from September 15, 2008. The issued directive will require mobile operators to provide full talk value to the customers. They are free to take administrative and levied taxes; however that should not exceed Rs 2 per recharge. Addressing consumer grievances there will also be no fees charged for switching from prepaid to postpaid connection.
TRAI has additionally directed telecom companies to allow lifetime subscribers to move to other cheaper plans with a low entry fee. Lifetime subscribers who want to continue the service can also avail benefits with a recharge required only once in six months. Mobile operators asked TRAI to reduce this time span from 60 to 180 days. The government in response mentioned that lowering the time span will effectively dilute the value of the lifetime plan.
TRAI has also directed mobile operators to restrict the number of Blackout days to only 5 days in the calendar. However they can opt for no tariff deduction on these days only with prior notice to consumers via SMS/Voice.
Presently prepaid subscribers comprise of more than 90 % of India’s telecom users. Telecos make a sneaky exit from the regulations earning larger profits and these policies by the government will definitely benefit the large prepaid mobile subscriber base.