TRAI makes per second billing mandatory for operators

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has made it mandatory for telecom service providers to offer at least one tariff plan based on per-second billing even as it allowed operators to offer up to 25 tariff plans.

TRAI today announced changes in the Telecommunication Tariff Order, 1999. In clause 6 of the principal tariff order, after sub-clause (iv), the following proviso has been inserted – ''Provided that every service provider providing cellular mobile service shall offer to the subscriber at least one pre-paid and one post-paid tariff plan with pulse duration of one second for local and national long distance calls.''

The regulator has also allowed operators to change international long distance tariff plans on lifetime pre-paid cards.

Earlier, TRAI had barred operates from changing any tariffs for a specific period after issuing a life time pre-paid card, saying these, however, will not apply to calls terminated outside the country.

TRAI has also allowed operators to charge up to four times the normal rates for premium rate services, which are essentially phone calls and made to participate in contests and competitions and SMS made to vote in television and radio programmes.

This is applicable to all other matters relevant to tariff for Premium Rate Services, TRAI said.

The order will come into force from the date of its publication in the official gazette.