Have you disconnected your Airtel, Vodafone, Idea number despite a sufficient balance? Here is what you need to know

Trai ordered operators not to immediately disconnect the services of customers with a "sufficient" prepaid balance, as it took good note that telecom operators were asking these users to request a mandatory monthly payment. recharge plan. The telecommunications regulator has fallen heavily on operators after receiving subscriber complaints that SMS would be sent to them to "compulsorily" recharge their prepaid accounts in order to continue to benefit from the services.

These subscribers learned that the messages were sent. although their prepaid accounts have a "sufficient balance". "Rates and plans are under forbearance and we do not usually intervene. But if there is enough money on the account and even if people are told that the services will be disconnected, it is not correct, "RS Sharma, president of Trai, told reporters. The directive in this regard was communicated to operators on Tuesday, he added.

The Indian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (Trai) met with operators earlier this week and is currently reviewing the issue in full. In the meantime, he asked the operators "to properly inform subscribers of the expiry date of the current validity of the existing plan and how they could opt for the available plans, including a minimum recharge plan. available balance of the prepaid or other account. "

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He also asks operators to provide all this information to subscribers by SMS immediately and "no later than 72 hours." In its directive to operators, Trai said: "Until then, the services of these customers whose balance in prepaid accounts is equal to the minimum charge, should not be interrupted ".

The telecom sector has been hurt by declining tariffs, erosion of profitability and rising debt in the face of fierce competition from the disruptive offerings of Reliance Jio, owned by Mukesh Ambani. Two of the largest operators – Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea – are seeking to increase their revenue per user and have announced minimum monthly recharge plans starting at Rs 35.