The directive says that the telcos should compensate Rs 1 compensation for each call dropped, with a maximum compensation cap of Rs 3 per day to a consumer.
Indian telecom operators have decided to overlook the directive of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) that mandates carriers to compensate their subscribers for call dropped due to technical glitches in the network.
According to the directive, the telecom operators should compensate Rs 1 compensation for each call dropped, with a maximum compensation cap of Rs 3 per day to a consumer.
The directive, issued on October 16, 2015 was meant to be followed from January 1, 2016. However, the telcos body Association of Unified Service Providers of India (AUSPI) and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) decided to take this matter to court and refused to follow the directive till the court decides on the matter.
The telcos, already encumbering with huge debt do not want to add more to their financial worries. The call-drops has become an increasing problem for the telecom subscribers and impacting the overall quality of service (QoS) of mobile services.
The Delhi High Court had directed TRAI not to impose any kind of penalty against telecom operators in this matter until the next date of hearing on January 6. TRAI, on the other hand has maintained that the telcos still need to abide the directive as the court hasn’t stayed its order.
The limited spectrum availability and telcos lethargic attitude towards network up gradation and technology investments have further complicated the whole issue. The telcos are finding escape routes to get away with this directive. The reports also mention that there is a fear amongst telcos that some of the consumers may game the system to claim compensation.