The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has permitted service providers to offer prepaid customers combo vouchers, say news reports. TRAI has amended the Telecom Consumer Protection Regulation (TCPR), 2012, to allow operators to offer subscribers combo vouchers as a fourth category of vouchers with safeguards in place to protect consumers’ interests.
The recharge coupon will enable subscribers to add value to their mobile phone account as well as avail various services at discounted prices.
Prior to the amendments to TCPR 2012, TRAI’s regulations allowed operators to offer only three categories of vouchers, including plan vouchers for enrolling a consumer into a tariff plan, top-up coupons for adding monetary value to a prepaid user’s account and special tariff vouchers for availing of value added services or discounts on services.
However, following the notification of TCPR in January 2012, TRAI received requests from operators to allow them to introduce a fourth category of voucher as well.
The combo vouchers will provide subscribers monetary value and tariff concessions through a single voucher. TRAI has directed operators to ensure that the combo vouchers bear a blue coloured band whereas the top-up vouchers sport a green colour band. Operators will also have to provide the consumer the option of standalone top up vouchers, along with combo vouchers.
Moreover, TRAI has asked operators to clearly mention the terms and conditions and restrictions applicable on the monetary value provided through combo vouchers to ensure that the subscribers can make an informed choice.
