Mobile operators have requested the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) not to intervene on tariffs and not to fix a cap on premium text messages as these are determined by market forces. These companies have also opposed the regulator?s proposal to have at least one standard tariff plan across all operators.
In this context, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) told TRAI that no further regulations or measures were required to enhance transparency. The Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India (AUSPI) opined that non-interference in tariffs has worked well for the Indian telecom market so far and regulated tariff should not be resorted to in any case.
Earlier, the regulator had expressed concerns over the number of tariff plans operators were offering in each circle, stating that it confuses customers. In response to this, operators had said that this number requires to be revised upwards, as new tariff plans are slated to be launched with the introduction of 3G services. Also, all operators have unanimously demanded that they be allowed to revise tariffs for prepaid customers who had opted for lifetime validity schemes.
In contrast, several consumer groups, including the Telecom Users Group of India, the Consumer Guidance Society and VOICE have encouraged the regulator to be more proactive in this context. For instance, the Consumer Guidance Society has said that awareness and sensitisation of telecom subscribers should be given top priority by adopting a multi-pronged approach. Also, a special thrust on rural and semi-literate subscribers is needed as they are the worst affected owing to thrusting of unwanted services and tariff plans by the service providers by adopting unfair trade practices.
