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India Updates
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TRAI ISSUES DIRECTIVE FOR REFUND OF EXCESS CHARGES LEVIED FROM CELLULAR SUBSCRIBERS IN RESPECT OF ISD CALLS MADE ON SUNDAYS AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS.
New Delhi ~ June 2001
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a directive to all cellular service providers to refund to their subscribers excess charges
if any levied for international calls made on Sundays and National Holidays.
Background
TRAI received a complaint from a cellular subscriber that subscribers are charged tariff at peak rates on ISD calls made on Sundays and National Holidays. The Telecommunication Tariff Order 1999 (TTO) notified by the Authority provides that on Sundays and National Holidays
(ie. 26th January 15th August and 2nd October) all the 24 hours during the calendar day shall be off peak hours. Thus effective from 1st May 1999
charges for international calls applicable on Sundays and National Holidays are to be at off-peak rates for all the 24 hours. Examination and Direction by the Authority Examination of the complaint indicated that the service provider against whom the complaint was lodged had charged its customers peak hour pulse rates on Sundays and National Holidays in violation of the provisions of the TTO 1999.
Taking cognizance of the above noted violation the Authority in exercise of the powers conferred by the TRAI Act issued a directive to the cellular operators that they shall refund any excess amount charged from subscribers in respect of international calls on Sundays and
National Holidays during the period beginning from 1st May 1999. The amount to be so refunded per metered call unit shall be equal to the difference between the peak time tariff charged and the applicable off peak time tariff for international calls. The operators are to implement the directive by 30th June 2001.
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