Support Telecomtalk
Andrew Bonwick
Vice President of Product Development at Relm Insurance
Madhav Sheth
CEO of Ai+ Smartphone
Stephen Rose
CEO Render Networks
India’s leading telecom operators have reportedly criticised the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) new regulation requiring carriers to offer voice and SMS-only tariff packs, calling it a regressive step. They argue that this move is a setback that will hinder the transition to 4G/5G and reverse progress by preventing 2G users from fully embracing the data revolution, according to an ET report.
- Make Telecom Talk My Trusted Source
-
-
Also Read: TRAI Launches Upgraded Website to Enhance Public Engagement
Operators Oppose TRAI’s Mandate
Telecom companies also called TRAI’s latest regulation a retrograde step as it goes against the current practice of not charging for voice, the report said.
“At present, telcos offer voice services almost free of cost in bundled data pack offerings, but once voice and text-messages-only packs are introduced as per Trai’s latest mandate, voice will get charged and such packs may be tweaked to say ‘voice and SMS’ instead of data,” the report quoted a senior telco executive as saying.
TRAI’s New Regulation
On Monday, the telecom regulator mandated that telcos introduce separate Special Tariff Vouchers (STV) for voice and SMS to give consumers the option to pay for only the services they require. The aim is to provide benefits to certain consumer segments, especially the elderly and those living in rural areas.
Furthermore, the validity period cap for STVs and Combo Vouchers (CV) has been extended from the existing ninety (90) days to three hundred and sixty-five (365) days for the benefit of consumers, the Ministry of Communications said on December 23, 2024. Telcos are also required to offer at least one Top-Up voucher of denomination Rs 10.
