New Delhi, May 24: Cracking the whip to curb the menace of unsolicited communications, Telecom regulator TRAI has promised stringent action will also be taken against unregistered telemarketers.
In a new set of guidelines, TRAI said in case of pesky call/SMS complaint, the originating access provider shall disconnect all the telecom resources allotted to such subscriber after investigation. This will be implemented with immediate effect.
TRAI also said that in such a case the name and address of such subscriber shall be entered into a black list for a period of two years to be maintained separately for this purpose. “Once entered in the blacklist, all access providers shall disconnect the telecom resources provided to such subscriber within twenty-four hour,” it said.
Further, no telecom resource will be allotted to such blacklisted subscriber by any access provider.
As per TRAI norms, telecom operators need to obtain explicit consent of consumers "through consumer originated SMS or e-mail or FAX or in writing within 24 hrs of activation of the value added service and charge the consumer only if the confirmation is received from him" for subscribing it.
As per the rule, operators have to take consent of subscribers before activating any VAS and deactivate it without charging for it if no consent is received from them.
Mobile operators were supposed to meet these guidelines by February 2 this year. The operators did come out with a number 155223 on which consumers can call and get their services deactivated.
Under the rules, telecom operators will have to refund the amount charged for such activation of services if consumers inform about them within 24 hours on this common number.
Subscribers who have been using any VAS beyond 24 hours can also request for deactivation of the service on this number. Telecom operators will have to deactivate the service within four hours of the call but the customer will not be eligible to claim refund in such cases.
