TRAI seeks 'certificate of compliance' from telecom operators

New Delhi, July 14 (UNI) The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has directed all telecom service providers to furnish a certificate of compliance on the tariff related directions by July 31 every year, a move that is expected to lead to better implementation of the various consumer protection measures by the telecom operators.

The certificates of compliance should categorically indicate that all the directions of the authority are being complied with by them continuously and there has been no breach of these directions during the year.

The authority feels it necessary to obtain periodical certificate of compliance from the service providers in order to ensure that those directions having continuous application are being complied by all the service providers.

The first such certificate covering the period upto June 30, 2006, has been called for by the authority on July 31, 2006.

TRAI has issued several directions to telecom service providers in the past on various tariff related aspects with a view to protect the interest of the consumers. While some of the directions were meant for one time compliance, others were to be complied on a continuing basis.

Some of the directions are prohibiting levy of migration charges by the cellular service providers, mandating cellular service providers to carry forward unused balance during grace period at the time of recharge by prepaid subscribers and prescription of format for publication/advertisement of tariff for consumer information.

Prompt refund of security deposit to the customers within a prescribed period, prohibiting telecom service providers from offering tariff plans with misleading titles and mandating all access providers to inform credit limit for postpaid customers in writing are some of the other directions.

UNI RT CS DS1518