Common customers who are expecting relief from high mobile tariffs may be disappointed. On TRAI’s suggestion, telecom companies say that there is no need for SMS or call packs instead of bundled packs. Companies say that the existing tariff plans are sufficient to meet the various needs of customers.
TRAI’s consultation paper came last month
This response of telecom companies has come after the suggestion of TRAI. Telecom regulator TRAI had issued a consultation paper last month and gave a proposal to telecom companies regarding tariff plan. In the consultation paper, companies were asked to launch packs without data i.e. only voice and SMS for customers. TRAI had asked for suggestions on the consultation paper by 16 August and counter suggestions by 23 August.
Bundled packs provide convenience to customers- Airtel
On TRAI’s suggestion, the second largest telecom company Airtel says – the plans that are currently available are simple, straight forward and easy to understand. Customers, especially older customers, prefer all-inclusive bundled voice, data and SMS packs. These packs are neither complex nor do they have any kind of huge charges. Bundled packs eliminate the need for customers to manage many different plans.
Users consider the current tariff to be affordable- Jio
The largest telecom company Jio has cited the results of a survey in its response. According to Jio, 91 percent of mobile users believe that the current telecom tariffs are affordable. At the same time, 93 percent of consumers say that they have enough options in the market.
Voice-SMS only pack will increase the digital divide: Vi
The third major private telecom company, Vodafone-Idea, argues that launching only voice or SMS packs will increase the digital divide among consumers in the country. By introducing such packs, non-data users will be discouraged from upgrading and experiencing digital services.
Telecom regulator TRAI gave this argument
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had said in its paper- It has been observed that the tariff offers available in the market are mainly coming in bundles, which include data, voice, SMS and OTT services. These bundle offers do not meet the needs of a large number of subscribers, because not all subscribers use all the services. Due to this, they have to pay for those services also which they do not use.
Also read: Relief from expensive mobile tariff, TRAI clarifies – cheap plan without data will come again
