Date:07/08/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200908071890.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Back TRAI rule on tariff plan change 'misused' Staff Reporter Kochi: A Telephone Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) notification designed for the benefit of mobile phone consumers has given cell phone service providers the opportunity to change tariff plans without the knowledge of subscribers. A 2004 TRAI notification inadvertently empowered service providers to changemobile phone tariff plans without the subscriber's knowledge. In its Telecommunication Tariff (Thirty First Amendment) Order, 2004', TRAI notified that a "tariff plan once offered by an access provider shall be available to a subscriber for a minimum period of six months from the date of enrolment of the subscriber to the tariff plan". It also mentioned that a subscriber would be free to choose any other tariff plan even during that period. "The amendment was made with a view to encourage competitive tariff fixingby mobile operators which would give the consumer plenty of options to choose from. It is unfortunate that this is being distorted," said T. Balachandran, TRAI Advisory Board Member. He also said he would bring this to TRAI's notice at its next meeting on September 17 and 18. The issue came to light when M.K. Haridas of 'The Proper Channel', aKochi-based NGO, realised that his monthly mobile bill didn't tally with thetariff plan he had opted for and that he was not informed of the plan shift. At the Consumer Court, the service provider cited the TRAI notification in its defence. Consumer should get complete plan "As per the law, a week after service activation, complete tariff plan should be sent to the consumer. Subsequent change in plan should also be intimated," said Mr. Haridas. "There is also provision for the consumer to shift from one plan to another without paying migration fee. Strangely, very few telephone subscribers are aware of the fact that if a problem in fixed line or broadband is not rectified by the operator in three days, the consumer is eligible for a seven-day rent subsidy. If it takes up to 15 days to fix the trouble, the subscriber should be given a 15-day rent cut. The subscriber will get a full-month rent concession if it takes more than 15 days for the company to do the repair," said Mr. Haridas, calling for better consumer awareness in this regard. © Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu Krishnan M. Moothimoola Phone: 04936215008. Mobile: 919495547984. Email: [email protected] Home address: Ushas Near GHSS Meenangadi,Post Meenangadi, Wynad, Kerala, India. Pin. 673591. To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
