TRAI directs telcos to send users mobile data usage info.

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Telecom regulator, TRAI has made it mandatory for the telcos to provide data usage information to all mobile data users through SMS or USSD.

TRAI has taken this measure after receiving complaints from consumers regarding non-availability of information relating to the amount of data used during a data session. Telcos charge consumers heavily for any usage beyond the specified data limit, often leading to sudden bill shock or unexpected deduction of balance amount.

Telcos now need to inform users after every 10MB of data consumption, except users of special data packs (STV/Combo/add-on-pack).

The special data packs (STV/Combo/add-on-pack) users need to informed whenever the limit of data usage reaches 50%, 90% and 100% of data available in the account of the subscriber or when the data balance available in the account of the subscriber reaches 500 MB, 100 MB and 10 MB, said TRAI.

The consumers, however, can opt out if they do not desire to receive such information.

Telcos have to send an alert to international roaming customers also to deactivate data service if he does not intend to use data services.

The service providers’ have been given time till November 1, 2015 for implementation.

TRAI has also barred telcos from activation or deactivation of data services, without any explicit consent of the consumers.

Data services should be activated or deactivated through a toll free short code 1925.

The service providers’ have been given time till September 1, 2015 for implementation.