Morung Express News
Kohima | December 9
To create awareness among telecom and broadcasting consumers and stakeholders about TRAI’s initiatives, a consumer outreach program, an initiative of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was held on December 9 at the Department of IT & C with K.D Vizo Commissioner Secretary for Information Technology and Communication (IT&C) as the chief guest.
Providing a brief introduction of the TRAI which was created to nurture the growth of telecommunication and enable the country to play a leading role in the emerging global information society, Vizo also noted that the main objective of TRAI is to provide a fair and transparent policy environment and promote a level playing field to all service providers.
Challenges faced by Nagaland
A first visit of the TRAI to Nagaland, K.D Vizo highlighted some of the challenges faced by Nagaland relating to telecommunication.
“Unfortunately many of the activities undertaken by TRAI are hardly implemented in places like Nagaland simply because TRAI has never visited the State in the past. Now through this consumer outreach program, where TRAI has visited Nagaland hoped that this will not be their last visit,” said Vizo. He also laid stress on some issues in Nagaland which requires immediate attention of TRAI such as the slow progress of the linking of the Aadhar mobile numbers which was notified by the Government of India to make it mandatory.
In this regard, Vizo appealed that the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) should be instructed to set up kiosks/stall in important public places to expedite the process. “Telecom business is one of the few successful business models in Nagaland however as of date the TSPs are reluctant to outsource their customer support/Value Added Services to the State Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and it is felt that TRAI should advise them to create employment and service opportunities to the local youths.” stated Vizo.
Currently various TSPs are rolling out their network mostly in commercial and urban areas whereas remote areas are highly neglected, therefore Vizo stated that the TRAI should strictly enforce Telecom Licensing conditions so that even the remote areas in the State are also given basic mobile and internet facilities.
Purpose of outreach program
The purpose of the program is to educate consumers and take feedback, while acting as an interface between Telecom Service Providers, Consumer Advocacy Groups and Telecom consumers mentioned T.N Das, Joint Advisor, TRAI Kolkata who delivered a presentation. Till date, TRAI has held 408 Consumer Outreach program accross the country in the last two years while 96 programs has been slotted for 2017-18.
Das highlighted at length on tariff & Account/Usage information, mobile data services, Value Added Services (VAS), Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC), Mobile number portability, complaint redressal, broadcasting services and critical issues.
While discussing about TRAI’s various initiatives, Das also laid stress on the issue of Net Neutrality noting that the TRAI has given recommendations on Net Neutrality and come up with a regulatory framework after a year of receiving suggestions and recommendations from the public.
Fraudulent calls and tower frauds
While discussing on fraudulent calls, Das warned consumers not to call back missed calls with numbers having prefix other than +91. “These could be international calls with very high ISD charge. Do not respond on fake/fraudulent call relating to insurance policy details, bank credit/debit cards information,” said Das.
Further, caution was also put forward on tower frauds where TRAI has received numerous complaints. In recent cases, Fraud company are promising high rent for setting up of tower/BTS and disappears after taking money in the name of the government fee or taxes. Das reminded that TRAI has no role (directly or indirectly) in installation of mobile towers.
