Trai asks telcos for data on recharge pattern of prepaid users amid lockdown

Sector regulator Trai on Tuesday asked all telcos, including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio, to provide data on recharge patterns of prepaid users during the lockdown, and other related information.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has sought response on the issuein 24 hours, sources told PTI.

The communication from the regulator has gone to all operators, including state owned telecom companies, sources said, adding that once the response is received, the regulator will finalise its views on the manner in which prepaid benefits should be extended, given that the lockdown has been extended to May 3.

The sources said details sought from telcos include the number of subscribers who have benefited from validity extension and talktime credit -- announced recently. Data has also been sought on number of subscribers who were unable to recharge during the lockdown.

Vodafone Idea had earlier announced extension of validity on prepaid plans availed by low-income customers using feature phones till April 17, and Rs 10 talktime credit, while Bharti Airtel too had offered extension in the validity period of over 8 crore pre-paid connections until April 17 as well as credited Rs 10 talk time in these accounts.

Reliance Jio had offered its JioPhone users 100 minutes of free talktime and 100 free SMS till April 17, and their incoming calls would continue even post validity of their pre-paid vouchers.

The telecom industry had, however, rejected Trai's call for extending benefits of talktime credit and extended validity to all pre-paid mobile phone users. Industry body COAI had argued that telecom firms had offered over Rs 600 crore of benefits to low-income users to stay connected during nationwide lockdown, and extending it all prepaid users was unjustified.