Better late than never! The Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) has issued directions (pdf) for telecom service providers, on provision of Value Added Services. The directions intend to check the activation of VAS products especially on prepaid mobile connections, without the customer's explicit consent. The TRAI also mentioned that it has been receiving complaints from consumers about providers renewing VAS products even when the available balance in the customer's account is insufficient, resulting in negative balance. The directives are as follows: - In all cases where the value added services are activated through Out Bound Dialer or service provider initiated call or during pre-call ring-back announcements (both voice as well as automated) and where a consumer dials a specified telephone number or short code or a telephone number providing interactive session for subscribing to a Value Added Service, the service provider shall obtain confirmation from the consumer through consumer originated SMS or e-mail or FAX or in writing within twenty four hours of activation of the value added service and charge the consumer only if the confirmation is received from him for such value added service and shall discontinue such value added service if no confirmation is received from the consumer. - Every service provider shall, at least three days before the due date of renewal of a subscribed value added service, inform the consumer through SMS, the due date for renewal of such service, the charges for renewal and toll free telephone number for unsubscribing the value added service. - If…
