The Hindu Business Line : TRAI mandates 6-month validity for all tariff plans

IN a move that would protect mobile and fixed line users from any increase in tariff hike soon after taking a connection, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has made it mandatory for operators to put a six month validity period on all tariff plans.

This means that if a subscriber takes a tariff plan today, the operator cannot bring about any increase in the tariff package for the next six months. However, operator would be free to reduce the tariff at any point. The subscribers shall be free to choose any other tariff plan, even during the said six months period. The service providers are also mandated to accept and implement all requests for change of plan immediately or from the start of next billing cycle.

In its order issued on Wednesday, TRAI has said, "The above decisions have been taken by the Authority after a consultation process which focused on the consumer concerns arising out of large number of tariff plans offered by the access providers. These include confusion in the minds of consumers affecting their ability to make informed choice, the frequent and sudden changes/withdrawal of the plans, transparency in charging, migration etc." TRAI has left out promotional schemes from the directive. In the consultation paper issued on March 8, the telecom regulator had also sought to review the existing cap of 25 tariff plans per operator. However, with large number of operators objecting to the proposal, TRAI has not changed the cap limit.

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TRAI mandates 6-month validity for all tariff plans