Update: the last date for submission of comments is now 25th November 2010. Read our comments, submitted to the TRAI, here. October 15th 2010: In its latest consultation paper, focused on consumer issues related to telecom, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has taken on the issue of misleading advertising and unethical billing and confusing tariff and recharge practices in the telecom sector. The consultation paper also covers the the advertisement of "Unlimited" plans, with a "Fair Usage Policy" that later limits usage, or beyond a certain limit, leads to a reduction of speed. If you're concerned about these issues, do send in your comments on the questions below to eco@trai.gov.in by 15th November, 2010 and counter comments, if any, by 25th November, 2010. Download: Consultation Paper | Press Release Some issues we've culled out (there are others): - Fair Usage Policy: wherein, the titles of tariff plans suggest unlimited use, but features put restrictions on the quantum of usage with a Fair Usage Policy: if there's a daily limit in terms of number of minutes for calls the usage. Thus, a plan advertised, as ‘unlimited free calls’ would mislead if there is daily or total limit on the minutes of usage. "For a common man the term 'unlimited' would only mean without any limit whatsoever". The TRAI also mentions advertising of broadband plans for higher download speeds, by paying monthly fixed charges, wherein if a customer exceeds a particular data download limit, the broadband speed would be restricted as per…
