New Delhi: Mobile subscribers will be able to activate or deactivate internet service on their mobile phone by calling or sending an SMS to a new toll free number 1925 from next month onwards.
The new directive from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) follows a large number of complaints from customers that mobile operators were keeping the process of deactivation very complex to earn extra revenue.
The directive issued today mandates telecom operators to provide toll free number '1925' from September 1 to activate or deactivate mobile internet service either by making a call on the number and following instruction or by sending a SMS.
Customers can send SMS to 1925 by writing 'START' to activate and 'STOP' to deactivate the service. Telecom operators will have to immediately reply to customer about status of activation and deactivation of their service.
The new amendment issued in Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations directs telecom operators not to charge subscribers for usage beyond subscribed limit without their explicit consent.
"No service provider shall activate or deactivate the data service on the Cellular Mobile Telephone connection of a consumer without his explicit consent," the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said.
Though provision to activate or deactivate a value added service has already been in place but telecom operators often refused complete deactivation of mobile internet services.
"These complaints mainly relate to... non-availability of information relating to data usage... non-availability of information to consumers whenever the data pack is exhausted..activation of internet service on mobile phones without the explicit consent of the consumer," TRAI said.
Under the new rule, the regulator has clarified that the consent of a mobile customer expires after the subscribed mobile internet limit like 500 MB, 1GB, 2GB etc., gets exhausted.
"Authority decided that those consumers taking data packs such as STV (special tariff voucher) or Combo Voucher or add-on pack will be deemed to have given their consent for data services. Such consent will be deemed to be only for the duration of validity of data pack or on exhausting the data limit, whichever is earlier," the regulator said.
The difference in mobile internet rates under scheme and without any scheme can be as high as 500 times.
The regulator has asked telecom operators to send alert to those customers who have not subscribed to mobile internet service, but use it as per their need, after every 10 megabyte of data consumed by them. Consumers will also have an option to opt out of this alert.
Customers on international roaming will only get alert to switch off mobile internet service on their handset if they are not using it.
The new directive from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) follows a large number of complaints from customers that mobile operators were keeping the process of deactivation very complex to earn extra revenue.
The directive issued today mandates telecom operators to provide toll free number '1925' from September 1 to activate or deactivate mobile internet service either by making a call on the number and following instruction or by sending a SMS.
The new amendment issued in Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations directs telecom operators not to charge subscribers for usage beyond subscribed limit without their explicit consent.
Advertisement
Though provision to activate or deactivate a value added service has already been in place but telecom operators often refused complete deactivation of mobile internet services.
Advertisement
Under the new rule, the regulator has clarified that the consent of a mobile customer expires after the subscribed mobile internet limit like 500 MB, 1GB, 2GB etc., gets exhausted.
Advertisement
The difference in mobile internet rates under scheme and without any scheme can be as high as 500 times.
Advertisement
Customers on international roaming will only get alert to switch off mobile internet service on their handset if they are not using it.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Delhi-San Francisco Air India Flight Diverted To Russia After Engine Glitch Boys Have "Better Access" To Career Information In India: UNICEF Report Rs 2,500 Crore Crypto Scam Key Accused Arrested By Himachal Pradesh Police Barack Obama Wants Joe Biden To Pull Out Of US Presidential Race: Report World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage 32 Dead In Bangladesh Unrest, Protesters Set Fire To State TV Headquarters Comedy Legend Bob Newhart Dead At 94: Publicist Israeli Strike Kills Field Commander In Elite Hezbollah Unit: Report Delhi-San Francisco Air India Flight Diverted To Russia After Engine Glitch Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.