Planning to wish your near and dear ones on the eve of Onam? Well, we have a bit of a bad news to share with our readers in Kerala if you are still don’t have free messaging apps installed in your mobile phones. Most of the operators are observing SMS ‘blackout’ this Onam when you will be charged for your SMS which are otherwise free under any plan /package.

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SMS BlackoutThe term Blackout days generally refers to the days on which the service providers do not allow freebies such as free or concessional SMS, voice and GSM services offered by them in their various circles of operation. As per TRAI norms, the telecom operators can choose any five days in a year for SMS black out which includes Diwali, Christmas, Onam, Independence Day and others.

As the week long onam celebrations begin tomorrow, Telecomtalk brings you the list of the operators along with their respective blackout dates.

OPERATOR

BLACKOUT DATES

Vodafone

September 15th, 16th

Idea

September 15th, 16th

Airtel

September  15th

Reliance (GSM & CDMA – Prepaid & Postpaid)

September 16th

Aircel

September 16th

TATA (GSM – Prepaid, Postpaid; CDMA – Prepaid Mobile and Walky)

September 15th, 16th

Sistema Shyam Teleservices Limited (MTS)

September 16th

BSNL

September 16th

Last year, TRAI released certain guidelines related to blackout days such as Mobile operators should not charge customers on calls or SMSes beyond their existing tariff plans on ‘Blackout Days’. Also, Consumers shall be given intimation prior to start of every Blackout Day among others.