Maintain transparency on broadband services: TRAI

BANGALORE, INDIA: Indian telecom regulator, TRAI has mandated internet service providers to strictly deliver specified speed of broadband connections. It has directed the telcos to alert consumers on data usage when it reaches 80 per cent to 100 per cent.

TRAI received complaints from the cosnumers stating that under the unlimited broadband plans they were offered higher speed upto 5GB or 10GB; and after it exceeds this limit the speed reduced to below 256 kbps.

The regulatory directs SPs to maintain transparency in offering broadband services to protect the interest of the consumers. TRAI has notified service providers to provide adequate information about the broadband plans and Fair Usage Policy (FUP) to broadband consumers.

Directions:

* Telecom/ internet service providers should provide on the website and also in all advertisements published about the information on broadband tariff plans offered under Fair Usage Policy - data usage limit with higher speed; speed of connection upto data usage limit; and speed of connection beyond data usage limit

* They should provide information on broadband tariff plans offered under FUP in printed form or through email or through SMS to the new subscribers

* Telcos should ensure that speed of broadband connection is not reduced, in all broadband tariff plans, below the minimum speed specified in 'Quality of Service of Broadband Service Regulations 2006

* ISPs provide alert to the customer at the time of login to the network of the service provider when his data usage reaches eighty percent of the data usage limit bundled with the plan

* ISPs should send alert to the customer either through SMS or email or through Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) each time when the data usage by the customer reaches 80% and 100% of the data usage limit bundled with plan.