TRAI directs telecom firms to make tariffs transparent

New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked operators to provide customers with details of their tariff plans within a week of activating the service. The regulator has also directed the operators to intimate any changes in tariff of the chosen package in writing to subscribers.

TRAI has issued these orders after receiving complaints from consumers regarding inconsistencies in billing by operators.

Subscribers said while taking new connections through franchisees/agents of telecom companies, they were promised a lower tariff for calls and certain facilities like caller line identification and free roaming. However, when they received their bills, they were charged at a higher rate and had to pay for services that were not mentioned in the chosen package.

TRAI has also pulled up telecom operators for not adhering to its directions issued early last month to make available tariff brochures at retail outlets with complete details of plans and financial implications for various usage slabs.