Don't charge extra on calls, SMS on 'blackout' days: Trai to telcos

Under new norms, number of blackout days shall not exceed five in a calendar year

In a customer-friendly move, telecom sector Trai today barred mobile phone operators from charging the users beyond their existing tariff plans on 'blackout days' like Diwali and New Year.

'Blackout days' refer to the day on which the service providers do not allow free or concessional voice calls and SMS offered by them under any plan or package, such as festivals like Diwali, Holi and others.

For example, if a users buys a prepaid offer which allows him to make STD calls at a concessional rate of 50 paise per minute, then on a “black out” day operators usually charges the normal rate of one rupee a minute  instead of the concessional rate.

In a note, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India  (TRAI) said the new guidelines are issued “to ensure that the consumer is not charged for calls or SMSs on ‘blackout’ days exceeding the rate in the tariff plan in which he is enrolled.”

Trai said consumers have to be given intimation prior to start of every blackout day and the date/occasion of the blackout day shall be intimated.

A list of blackout days applicable for the calendar year shall be displayed on the website of service providers, before start of every calendar year and shall be published, service area wise, along with the tariff plans of the service provider, every six months, the regulator added.

The new guidelines are in addition to those already in place as per which the number of blackout days shall not exceed five in a calendar year and no alteration in any such date is allowed after the package is subscribed by the consumer.

Key highlights of Trai guideline:

• Charges for calls or SMSs on ‘blackout’ should not exceed the rate in the tariff plan in which he is enrolled.
• Number of blackout days shall not exceed five in a calendar year.
• A list of blackout days applicable for the calendar year should be displayed on the website of service providers,