TRAI pulls up Internet service providers

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today issued a directive making it mandatory for Internet service providers (ISPs) to obtain explicit consent of the subscribers before making value-added services chargeable.

TRAI had earlier issued similar direction to the fixed and mobile operators.

The directive is in the context of instances that have come to TRAI's notice where ISPs charge subscribers for value-added services without obtaining their consent.

A prominent ISP had recently provided value-added service in the form of 'unlimited access' for a monthly fee. The service was activated to all dial-up customers with the condition that unless the customer calls the customer care of the operator on a specific number and un-subscribes the service, the monthly charge gets automatically applicable.

TRAI said that in such cases, the onus of declining the chargeable service is put on the customer. There could be a possibility that in case the customer fails to un-subscribe for the service due to any reason, he starts getting charged without his concurrence.