TRAI tells mobile operators to send itemised bills

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked operators to ensure that subscribers are informed every time an amount is charged to their account for particular services.

TRAI, which has cracked down on 'hidden charges' in mobile telephone bills, has also given telecom operators 45 days to comply with the new rules.

"Notwithstanding the several steps taken in the past by TRAI to enhance transparency in tariff offers, the authority continues to receive complaints and representations from consumers," TRAI said in an announcement of the Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations, 2012.

The telecom regulator seems particularly concerned about pre-paid customers, who form the bulk of mobile users in India. According to TRAI, about 96 per cent of consumers are in the pre-paid category - and unlike post-paid consumers, they do not get any bills for amounts charged.

"To ensure that pre-paid consumers get an itemised usage of their account, the service providers have been mandated to provide the same within 30 days to the consumer on request and at a reasonable cost not exceeding Rs50," the new TRAI regulations say.

The operators will have to send messages to subscribers to inform them about the deduction from their account after every call made or after every data usage session.