In an attempt to protect the interest of consumers and improve Quality of Prepaid Mobile Service with accurate billing; Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has made it a must for all mobile phone operators (CDMA/GSM) to provide prepaid users updates of calls made and data downloads every time they use voice and data services.
All the information, to be sent by SMS, or reflecting on customers mobile phone via USSD based flash message which will include the duration of calls or data usage (2G/3G), the charges deducted and the remaining prepaid account balance.
TRAI said that at present, about 96% of the consumers are in the pre-paid category and unlike post-paid consumers, the prepaid consumers do not get any bills for their usage and the amount charged or itemized details of their plans.
However most of above services are already available in various operators offering GSM and CDMA mobile services in the country, but as of now these are optional for service providers and now with implementation of TELECOM CONSUMERS PROTECTION REGULATIONS, 2012, it will be mandatory for all operators to provide these details to their prepaid subscribers.
Itemized Bill details for Prepaid :
Now Prepaid subscribers also can also get itemized details of their Calls, SMS and Data usage on request within 30 days by paying charges not more than Rs.50 for per bill cycle/calender month. Earlier this facility was available for Postpaid users only.
New Guidelines for Prepaid Vouchers (Plan/Top Up Coupons) :
With a view to facilitating easy identification by the consumers, TRAI now specify a colour band code (Red, Green and Yellow) on the reverse of the vouchers (Plan Voucher; Top Up Voucher; and Special Tariff Vouchers) to distinguish different types of vouchers. A major concern of the consumers regarding size of the letters giving details of the tariff plan, MRP, net monetary value available on the voucher etc.
Toll Free Short Code for Prepaid Account Information :
Additionally, these regulations also provide for allotment of a separate Toll Free Short Code by the service provider to enable its consumer to access information relating to his tariff plan, available balance in his account and details of any Value Added Service activated on his telephone number.
