43 percent data service users unhasppy with telecom operators: Study

Even as telecom companies in the country competed for spectrum to strengthen mobile data services in the recently concluded auctions, a new study said 43 percent of phone users in India are dissatisfied with the quality of data services while another 43 percent have rated it as average.

According to a community poll conducted by a social networking platform LocalCircles, 53 percent of the surveyed people said the quality of network coverage was average while 27 percent expressed discontent with the coverage.

Another 53 percent stated the tariffs charged by the operators to be expensive while 38 percent voted it as "value for money".

Fifty-three percent of the surveyed people put faith on the accuracy of data billing and other services charges by the operators while 32 percent did not vote in its favour.

"Immediate efforts are needed by the telecom regulators and the operators to improve the voice and data service quality by reducing call drops, improving coverage and quality," the company said in a statement.

As per the study, a whopping 77 percent of respondents said the central government and telecom regulatory authorities have "not done enough" to address issues faced by consumers and another 77 percent said they want operators to bill them based on usage and the services opted for instead of generalised packages.

"Net Neutrality is something that the large majority of the citizens support and want the telecom regulator to ensure consumer interest is protected at all costs," it added.

The company also said the telecom regulatory body's regulations are "loose" and the department of telecom's monitoring of compliance on licensing requirements are falling short of expectations.

The survey was conducted across India with 20,000 citizens responding to six poll questions followed by a "detailed structured discussion".