The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has decided to investigate overcharging-related complaints filed against operators across the country.
Last week, TRAI invited an expression of interest (EoI) from accredited auditing agencies to check metering and billing accuracy as mandated under the quality of service regulations. The regulator expects them to submit their applications by 22 October. The metering and billing systems of all operators, which issue monthly bills, will now be scanned with the help of independent technical auditing experts and firms.
The result of the audit will be given to TRAI every quarter and the service provider will have to mandatorily get it cleared every year by certified auditors. Agencies registered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and the Institute of Costs and Works Accountants of India and with experience in technical audit will be given this responsibility.
Under the exercise, independent agencies will compare services with the norms to minimise billing complaints and thus protect the interest of consumers. After TRAI appoints the panel, service providers may appoint any one of the auditors from this panel for the scrutiny.
Keeping in view the licencing of new access service providers and commissioning of service by these new service providers, TRAI intends to conduct this exercise that will check billing for value added services and roaming services with a discrepancy in analysis of billing.
Agencies will also see if the rent rebate of service is being given to customers in respect of faults not rectified within three days and also whether an illegal levy of migration charges from its subscribers which have been prohibited by the TRAI have been imposed.
