Date:15/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/07/15/stories/2006071503120600.htm

Back Compliance certificate: TRAI sets July 31 as deadline

Our Bureau

New Delhi , July 14

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Friday directed all telecom service providers to submit a certificate of compliance on all tariff-related instructions by July 31 every year.

The Authority has issued several directions to the operators, which include prohibiting levy of migration charges by the cellular service providers, mandating cellular service providers to carry forward unused balance during grace period at the time of recharge by prepaid subscribers, prompt refund of security deposit to the customers within a prescribed period, prohibiting telecom service providers from offering tariff plans with misleading titles and mandating all access providers to inform credit limit for post-paid customers in writing.

TRAI has asked the operators to furnish a certificate of compliance regularly by July 31 every year.

"The certificate of compliance should categorically indicate that all these directions of the Authority are being complied with by them continuously and that there has been no breach of these directions during the year," it said. The first such certificate covering the period up to June 30, 2006, has been called for by end of this month.

"This decision of the Authority is expected to lead to better implementation of the various consumer protection measures by the telecom operators," it said.