Telcos seek TRAI nod for changing "lifetime-free" tariffs

New Delhi: Telecom operators have sought regulatory authority TRAI's permission to change the tariffs of their "lifetime-free" scheme in accordance with the revisions in regulatory terms and conditions.

In the last few months, some prominent GSM and CDMA operators had launched new plans offering free lifetime connectivity in exchange for a one-time service charge. TRAI had questioned the plans on the grounds of what would be the status of these the plans if the traffic patterns and interconnect usage charge regime were to change or be substantially modified substantially.

The representative bodies of the GSM and CDMA service operators had both responded by stating that any major modifications of the regime would require the tariffs to be reecalibrated

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representative bodies has said, "The tariff plans that have been introduced by the operators have been designed / structured keeping in view the prevalent licensing and regulatory regime, including the prevalent IUC regime. Any substantial change in the regime may necessitate a change in the tariff package offered by the service providers.''

Similarly the CDMA operators body AUSPI has clarified, ''any change in IUC Regime and / or licensing conditions will necessitate corresponding recalibration in the pricing to reflect the changed cost scenario.''

The new cost scenario may require altering the cost to the consumer. Operators have now sought a review of these tariffs under a new interconnect usage regime if it were to be enforced.