'Explicit nod of subscribers must for activating Net on phone'

To address consumer complaints of over charging for data services, regulator TRAI today proposed that operators should take explicit consent of subscribers for activating internet on phones and also inform them by SMS or a toll free code when the usage limit is about to be breached.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) also said telcos should alert users when they are on international roaming to deactivate internet if they don't want data services.
The Authority has released draft regulations related to data services and has sought comments of stakeholders. The final regulations are expected after May 12, the last date to submit comments.

"It is proposed that data services should be activated or deactivated only with the explicit consent of the subscriber through toll free short code 1925 (USSD), following the prescribed procedures for obtaining explicit consent of the consumer and for deactivation data," TRAI said.
TRAI said service providers should inform mobile subscribers, who have taken data packs, through SMS or USSD whenever the limit of data usage reaches 50 per cent, 90 per cent and 100 per cent.
It said when the usage reaches 90 per cent of the limit, information about the applicable tariff beyond the data limit shall also to be communicated.

The Authority also said customers should also be informed through SMS at periodic interval, not exceeding six months, about the prescribed procedure for deactivation of data.
TRAI said it has been receiving several complaints from consumers regarding non-availability of information relating to the amount of data used during a data session.