The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday issued directions to telecom operators on the procedure for providing value-added services (VAS) to users, a move aimed at protecting the interest of consumers.
In its orders, TRAI has asked service providers to “obtain confirmation from the consumer through SMS or e-mail or fax or in writing within 24 hours of activation of the VAS. He should charge the consumer only if the confirmation is received from him for such value added service and shall discontinue if no confirmation is received”.
Similarly, every service provider shall, at least three days before the due date of renewal of a subscribed value added service, inform the consumer through SMS.
“If there is insufficient balance in the pre-paid account of a consumer at the time of renewal of subscription to a value added service, the service provider shall send a request, through SMS,” it added.
