New Delhi: Sector regulator TRAI on Tuesday directed telecom operators to enable SMS facility “immediately” for all mobile users, irrespective of their tariff offers, vouchers, or the value of the plan opted by them.
TRAI’s strong message on easy network portability assumes significance as Reliance Jio Recently wrote a letter to the regulator complaining that the new tariff structure of Vodafone Idea ,Will) allegedly restricts entry-level customers to port their mobile number from their network.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has taken strong note of telecom service companies not providing outgoing SMS facility in certain prepaid vouchers.
In a directive issued on Tuesday, TRAI said that in the recent past it has received complaints from consumers that they are unable to send SMS to the short code 1900 specified for UPC (Unique Porting Code) generation. Mobile Number Portability Convenience even if they have sufficient balance in their prepaid accounts.
“Now therefore the Authority … directs all Access Service Providers to enable SMS sending facility on short code 1900, for both prepaid and postpaid mobile customers, to request for a unique porting code, with immediate effect. TRAI in its direction said, “Exercise your right to avail porting facility as per the Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability Regulation, 2009.
The regulator stressed that non-provision of SMS sending facility related to mobile number portability in certain prepaid vouchers/plans is a “violation” of the norms “as it takes away the right of the consumers, which is provided for in the rules, to avail benefits”. Mobile Number Portability Facility”.
The existing rules require each access provider to provide the facility in its network, mobile number portability to all customers, both prepaid and postpaid, and on a “non-discriminatory basis”, on receipt of specific requests.
“And whereas … the MNP Regulations provide that each access provider shall, in its mobile network, establish a mechanism for the purpose of obtaining short message Service (SMS) requests its customers for a unique porting code and forwards the same to the mobile number portability zone to which the mobile number pertains…,” TRAI said.
According to sources, Jio had complained to TRAI that VIL’s new tariff prevents people opting for lower value plans from porting their mobile number as outgoing SMS facility is not available in VIL’s entry-level plans.
Vodafone Idea had hiked mobile services and data rates by 18-25 per cent in November. Under the new tariff structure, VIL increased the entry-level plan from Rs 75 to Rs 99 with a validity of 28 days, but the entry-level plan is not bundled with the SMS service.
As per Jio’s complaint, VIL is providing SMS service in plans priced at Rs 179 and above.
TRAI’s strong message on easy network portability assumes significance as Reliance Jio Recently wrote a letter to the regulator complaining that the new tariff structure of Vodafone Idea ,Will) allegedly restricts entry-level customers to port their mobile number from their network.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has taken strong note of telecom service companies not providing outgoing SMS facility in certain prepaid vouchers.
In a directive issued on Tuesday, TRAI said that in the recent past it has received complaints from consumers that they are unable to send SMS to the short code 1900 specified for UPC (Unique Porting Code) generation. Mobile Number Portability Convenience even if they have sufficient balance in their prepaid accounts.
“Now therefore the Authority … directs all Access Service Providers to enable SMS sending facility on short code 1900, for both prepaid and postpaid mobile customers, to request for a unique porting code, with immediate effect. TRAI in its direction said, “Exercise your right to avail porting facility as per the Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability Regulation, 2009.
The regulator stressed that non-provision of SMS sending facility related to mobile number portability in certain prepaid vouchers/plans is a “violation” of the norms “as it takes away the right of the consumers, which is provided for in the rules, to avail benefits”. Mobile Number Portability Facility”.
The existing rules require each access provider to provide the facility in its network, mobile number portability to all customers, both prepaid and postpaid, and on a “non-discriminatory basis”, on receipt of specific requests.
“And whereas … the MNP Regulations provide that each access provider shall, in its mobile network, establish a mechanism for the purpose of obtaining short message Service (SMS) requests its customers for a unique porting code and forwards the same to the mobile number portability zone to which the mobile number pertains…,” TRAI said.
According to sources, Jio had complained to TRAI that VIL’s new tariff prevents people opting for lower value plans from porting their mobile number as outgoing SMS facility is not available in VIL’s entry-level plans.
Vodafone Idea had hiked mobile services and data rates by 18-25 per cent in November. Under the new tariff structure, VIL increased the entry-level plan from Rs 75 to Rs 99 with a validity of 28 days, but the entry-level plan is not bundled with the SMS service.
As per Jio’s complaint, VIL is providing SMS service in plans priced at Rs 179 and above.
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