Telecom Lead Asia: TRAI Chairman Rahul Khullar says Indian mobile users can now register complaint about wrongful activation of value added services (VAS) like mobile internet and caller tunes on a new common number, 155223, for all operators.
PTI on Wednesday reported that telecom operators will have to refund the amount charged for such activation of services if consumers inform about it within 24 hours on this common number.
The service has been put in place by telecom operators jointly after telecom regulator TRAI refused to give them any leeway in such cases from February 2. Operators reported compliance to TRAI on February 1.
Subscribers who have been using any value added services beyond 24 hours can also request for deactivation of service on this number. Telecom operator will have to deactivate service within four hours of getting phone call but the customer will not be eligible to claim refund in such cases.
On July 4, 2011 TRAI directed telecom operators to obtain explicit consent of consumers through consumer originated SMS or e-mail or FAX or in writing within 24 hrs of activation of the value added service and charge the consumer only if the confirmation is received from him for subscribing it.
The industry has objected to this direction and estimated Rs 12,000 crore revenue loss and over 10,000 job loss on complying with the direction. After failing to convince the telecom regulator, GSM association COAI approached telecom tribunal TDSAT but lost.
TDSAT gave telecom operators three months time (till February 2) to comply with the direction.
As per the rule, operators will have to take consent of subscribers before activating any VAS and deactivate it without charging for it if no consent is received from them.
TRAI has asked operators to inform their subscribers about the new facility and also publish its details in newspapers.
