TRAI New Rules: According to the telecom regulator, it is of the view that there should be separate recharge coupons for calls and SMS. TRAI received many views during the consultation process related to this. It was found that many senior citizens and families having broadband in their homes do not need separate data packages for their mobile phones.
TRAI New Rules: Telecom regulator TRAI on Monday amended tariff rules and ordered mobile service providers to issue separate plans for voice calls and SMS for customers who do not use data.
With this move, consumers will have to pay only for the services they usually use. Not only this, the regulator removed the 90-day limit on special recharge coupons and extended it to 365 days.
TRAI said in the Telecom Consumer Protection (Twelfth Amendment) Regulations 2024 – “The service provider will have to provide at least one special tariff voucher exclusively for voice i.e. conversation and SMS, the validity period of which will not exceed 365 days.”
There should be special recharge coupons for talk and SMS
According to the telecom regulator, it is of the view that there should be separate special recharge coupons for talk and SMS. TRAI received many views during the consultation process related to this. It was revealed that many senior citizens and families having broadband in their homes do not need a separate data package for their mobile phones.
What has TRAI said?
TRAI said, “Making special vouchers mandatory for only voice calls and SMS will provide an option to those customers who do not need data i.e. internet. This will not affect the government’s initiative of internet inclusion in any way because service providers are free to offer vouchers for data along with talk and SMS and only for internet. ”
The regulator has also allowed telecom companies to issue recharge vouchers of any value. But they will also have to issue a recharge coupon of at least Rs 10. Under the earlier rule, telecom companies were allowed to issue top-up vouchers in the value of Rs 10 and its multiples.
