The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) said that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was not required to fix tariffs, as this should be determined by market forces.
Commenting on this issue, a TDSAT bench said, ?The consumer groups contend that TRAI should frame the tariffs. This tribunal is, however, of the opinion that since TRAI, has prescribed forbearance (operators are free to fix tariffs), no direction at this stage should be issued.?
However, TDSAT said that the regulator must take steps to make consumers aware of their rights. The tribunal also said, “In the event that TRAI determines that a single tariff plan is necessary, the scope of multiplicity of plans would become non-existent.”
It added, “We have noticed that the consultative process is over. It is expected that TRAI would take a decision as soon as possible. The tribunal would be required to examine this issue only if certain deficiencies are uncovered.”
The tribunal’s remarks follow two petitions filed by the Telecom Users Group of India and an individual. They have requested the tribunal to direct TRAI to fix the tariff and to regulate prepaid services. According to them, telecom operators have introduced several complex tariff structures and TRAI should restrict it to a few plans.
According to the petitioners, TRAI permits 25 tariff plans for each operator. However, this does not include value added services, which is not regulated by TRAI. Also, the petitioners said that electronic recharges are not transparent, as consumers are not provided any information about the bill, while recharging.
This stand was opposed by TRAI.
