The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper on the “Review of Telecom Consumer Protection Regulation (TCPR), 2012”.
The aim of the consultation paper is to review the provisions regarding different types of tariff offerings. In this regard, a consumer survey done under the aegis of TRAI in respect of “tariffs of telecommunication services and related issues” to initiate consultation process on several issues i.e. “choice of tariff availability” and “validity of vouchers”.
Further, considering the request of telecom industry the issue of color-coding vouchers and denomination vouchers has also been identified for consultation.
In the consultation paper, TRAI has identified eight issues for discussion, which are:
- Whether the current tariff plans offered by telecom service providers align with the preferences and usage patterns of consumers, particularly elderly individuals.
- Whether there a need for separate plans for voice and SMS and data to meet the specific requirements of subscribers.
- Whether the maximum validity of special tariff vouchers (STVs) and combo vouchers (CVs) for consumers should be increased.
- Whether specific consumer segments that would benefit from longer validity periods for STVs and CVs exist.
- Whether dealers are doing recharge of vouchers online instead of selling physical vouchers in the current scenario.
- Whether colour coding can be introduced in digital mode to enhance consumer convenience and clarity.
- Whether there is any relevance of reserving denomination of rupees ten and multiple thereof only for top up vouchers in the present situation where recharge of vouchers is carried out through digital mode.
- Whether all types of vouchers can be allowed to be offered in any denomination of the choice of service provider.
TRAI has invited written comments on the issues raised in the consultation paper from the stakeholders by August 16, 2024 and counter-comments by August 23, 2024.
