Caller line identity tariffs shall be made optional: TRAI
Published on Wed, Aug 29, 2007 at 08:21 | Source : Moneycontrol.com
Updated at Wed, Aug 29, 2007 at 08:40
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Caller line identity tariffs shall be made optional: TRAI
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today directed the telecom operators not to make charges for Caller Line Identification Presentation (CLIP) facility, a compulsory item of tariff for subscribers in any tariff plan.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today directed the telecom operators not to make charges for Caller Line Identification Presentation (CLIP) facility, a compulsory item of tariff for subscribers in any tariff plan.
"Though the authority has refrained from mandating a cost-based tariff for CLIP facility keeping in line with the policy of tariff forbearance, in order to protect the interest of consumers, the authority has re-emphasised the need for enhanced transparency with regard to charging for CLIP....Whenever CLIP charges are sought to be levied by service providers, this shall be optional for subscribers," a TRAI release said here.
Certain service providers are providing CLIP facility as a compulsory chargeable value added service.
TRAI said that no significant amount of work was involved in presenting the caller line identity to the called subscriber and thus the incremental cost of providing CLIP facility is negligible. Consequently, the Authority finds no justification in making CLIP facility a compulsory chargeable item, it said in a statement. The operators have been given 15 days to restructure the existing tariff plans to make them consistent with the provisions of the direction.
"Though the authority has refrained from mandating a cost-based tariff for CLIP facility keeping in line with the policy of tariff forbearance, in order to protect the interest of consumers, the authority has re-emphasised the need for enhanced transparency with regard to charging for CLIP....Whenever CLIP charges are sought to be levied by service providers, this shall be optional for subscribers," a TRAI release said here.
