TRAI has announced new rules for more than 120 crore mobile users of the country, in which many decisions have been taken including recharge of Rs 10, validity of 365 days. Also, it has been made mandatory to issue voice only plans for users having dual SIM cards. Airtel, Jio, Vodafone Idea and BSNL will have to follow this new guidelines of TRAI. TRAI has taken several decisions in the interest of users by making the twelfth amendment in the Telecom Consumer Protection Regulation. The telecom regulator had held a virtual meeting with all the stakeholders regarding this a few months ago.
TRAI's new rules
- TRAI has amended the Consumer Protection Regulation to make separate special tariff vouchers (STV) for voice and SMS mandatory for 2G feature phone users, so that users can get a plan for their essential services. Especially users using feature phones, including some sections of the society, elderly and people in rural areas can get the benefit.
- Apart from this, for the benefit of the users, the telecom regulator has increased the validity of STV i.e. Special Tariff Voucher from the existing 90 days to 365 days i.e. 1 year.
- Considering the importance of online recharge, TRAI has decided to do away with the color coding of physical vouchers. Earlier there was a separate color coding system for each category of recharge.
- TRAI has retained the requirement of at least one top-up voucher of Rs 10 denomination as per the 50th amendment of TTO (Telecom Tariff Order) in 2012 and has made it mandatory for top-up vouchers only to be in Rs 10 denomination or its denomination. It has been decided to end the system of keeping reserves. Telecom companies will now be able to issue a top-up of Rs 10 and any other top-up voucher of any value.
120 crore users benefited
Since private telecom companies made recharge plans expensive in July, users with two SIMs and feature phones have to do expensive recharge to keep their SIM active. Understanding the problems of the users, the telecom regulator has now given relief to the users using only voice and SMS services. Telecom companies can now launch cheap recharge plans for these users.
Information- BSNL's blast, SIM will remain active throughout the year for less than Rs 100 per month, Jio, Airtel worried
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