Telecom operators reportedly plan to challenge the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) order on seeking the consumers’ consent before activating value added services (VAS).
In this regard, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) is going to approach the Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) against TRAI’s order.
According to COAI, operators are not opposed to the idea of seeking the subscribers’ prior consent before activating VAS. However, operators are objecting to the method prescribed by TRAI.
TRAI?s regulation pertaining to the activation of VAS mandated operators to seek the subscribers’ consent through an SMS, e-mail, a fax or in writing within 24 hours of activation of the VAS. Additionally, operators were also required to inform the consumer through SMS at least three days before the date of renewal of a subscribed VAS.
TRAI?s regulation followed various complaints received by consumers against operators activating VAS without them subscribing to such services.
However, despite TRAI’s regulations, operators continued to violate these norms. Thus, TRAI has asked operators to either comply with the regulations in a month’s time or face legal action for violations.
