The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released the Consumers’ Handbook on Telecommunications which goes on to inform the consumer about his rights when opting in for a new connection and also lays down some rules that the service provider has to offer.
One such rule mentioned in the Handbook is that the service provider is not allowed to increase the tariff of the consumer for a minimum period of six months from the date of enrolment.
TRAI has stated in the handbook, ‘A tariff plan once offered by an access provider shall be available to a subscriber for a minimum period of six months from the date of enrolment of the subscriber to that tariff plan.’
But TRAI has also said that within this period of 6 months, the service provider will be allowed to reduce the tariff as per its will but there would not be any increase in the tariff offered to the consumer.
The handbook also states that the subscriber is at free will to change his/her tariff plan even within the six months of opting in for the service, thus making the experience very user friendly. TRAI has stated, ‘The subscriber shall be free to choose any other tariff plan, even during the said six months period. All requests for change of plan shall be accepted and implemented immediately or from the next billing cycle.’
One major problem that consumers face while using the service from the provider is when they are not able to file a complaint against an issue with the company easily. And for this TRAI has said that the service providers have to publish the following information in leading newspapers in Hindi or English and a local language once in every six months and also make the same available on their web site:
- Customer Care Number
- General Information Number
- Contact details of the Appellate Authority
- Procedure for monitoring of complaints on the web based complaint monitoring system.
TRAI has also mentioned it clearly that the Complaint Centre will have ‘Consumer Care Number’, which is toll free and should be open at least from 8 A.M. to 12 A.M. (Midnight) for enabling any user to file a complaint.
So now you know what your Rights are and how liable the service provider is of providing the above mentioned services to you. Have you faced any problems regarding the change in tariff within 6 months or not able to reach the Complaint Centre? Share your experiences below.