The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on May 20, 2023, clarified on the ‘Draft Regulations on Metering and Billing’ and ‘Tariff Plan Verification’.
The following has been stated namely: -
• The following was clarified with respect to the Draft Regulations on Accuracy of Metering & Billing System, way forward for light touch regulations: -
1. The audit methodology currently in practice does not represent all segments of pre-paid customers, which contribute almost 95 percent of the total customer base. The plan selection process has been rationalised to get a proper representation of all types of plans.
2. Though TRAI acknowledges that most of the plans offered are on an unlimited basis, however, each plan has got fair usage policy (FUP) limit which determines the quality and quantity of usage of service by the consumers. To have the continued confidence of consumers towards the service provider and the regulator, it is essential to continue the audit process.
3. Efforts have been made to encourage service providers to refund overcharged amount, if any detected during the audit, to the customers promptly. Accordingly, the impact of financial disincentives has also been rationalised.
4. Confidence built up on system accuracy through the audit process shall further reduce the burden of LSA audit on the Service Providers.
• The following was clarified with respect to the ‘Tariff plan verification’:
1. Examination of tariff offers filed by telecom companies is being done by Authority in a routine manner to ensure compliance of same with extant regulatory provisions.
2. Examination of Tariffs is in vogue for the last many years since the inception of TTO in the year 1999.
3. There is no special drive being undertaken by TRAI to probe all the past tariff plans filed by telecom companies except those specific plans under examination.
[Release ID: 1925717]
