Recently, many people were shocked by the increase in mobile phone call charges. Telecom companies have raised their prices by more than 25%. In response, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is working to bring relief to the public. Many customers feel they are being forced to buy plans that they do not need, and TRAI wants to change that. They are exploring new ideas to make phone calls cheaper and more user-friendly.
What TRAI is Proposing
TRAI has released a consultation paper asking for feedback on whether changes should be made to the Telecom Consumer Protection Act. They are considering introducing a new tariff plan that would only allow calls and SMS, without including internet and OTT services. This plan aims to be more affordable for users who don’t need data services.
Current Call Costs in India
- According to Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, India has 1.17 billion mobile connections and 930 million internet connections.
- Previously, the cost per minute for calls was 53 paise, but it has now dropped to just 3 paise, making it one of the cheapest in the world.
- The cost of 1 GB of data is 9.12 rupees, which is also the cheapest globally.
Digital India and Innovation
Under the Digital India initiative, the government is supporting various technology-based startups and innovation schemes. These include tech incubation, entrepreneurial development, and support for innovative startups, with a funding allocation of about 800 crores. These initiatives aim to promote growth and innovation in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
Feedback Sought from Stakeholders
TRAI is seeking feedback from all stakeholders, including telecom operators, on the proposal to introduce plans that focus only on calling and SMS. They have issued this consultation under the Telecom Consumer Protection Regulation – 2012. The consultation paper invites reactions on whether such plans should be offered and how they could reduce costs for consumers.
Color Coding Proposal
TRAI has also proposed introducing color coding for vouchers. They want to know if this would be helpful in the digital medium. Feedback is being requested from telecom operators like Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone-Idea, as well as BSNL, by August 16, 2024. Counter-reactions can be submitted by August 23, 2024.
Potential New Plans
Some new plans could offer unlimited voice calling and SMS with minimal data. These would be much cheaper than current data-heavy plans, offering an affordable alternative for those who don’t require much data.
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