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| TRAI VS MOBILE SERVICE PROVIDER |
Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) currently prescribe a condition of deactivation if the mobile connections remain inactive for some period of time.
On 21st February, 2013:Telecom Regulatory Authority of India(TRAI) has released a Regulation on ‘Deactivation of Cellular Mobile Telephone Connections due to Non-usage’.At present, there is lack of transparency in carrying out such disconnections. Consumers are also not adequately informed regarding the terms and conditions of such disconnections. In the event of deactivation,the balance amount in the account of the consumer gets forfeited. In such conditions, deactivation has been causing inconvenience to consumers.
The following regulatory guidelines for deactivating mobile no:-
- The mobile connections of prepaid consumers shall not be deactivated for any period of non-usage less than 90 days;
- For the purpose of usage, a voice call/ video call (incoming or outgoing) or an outgoing SMS or a data usage or usage of Value Added Services, or payment of rental (in case of post paid connection) etc. shall definitely fall in the scope of activity, the service provider may prescribe any other activity as well;
- There shall be no deactivation if the balance in prepaid consumer account is Rs.20/- or more;
- An ‘Automatic Number Retention Scheme’ shall be implemented for prepaid consumers on payment of reasonable charges;
- A consumer whose connection is deactivated shall be given a grace period of 15 days within which he can reactivate the same number;
- Consumers shall be transparently communicated the terms and conditions of deactivation of SIMs due to non-usage.
