In line with the new TRAI guidelines that stress on transparent billing for Prepaid subscribers, Airtel has launched an online 'My Account' self care service portal for Prepaid subscribers, allowing them to access functionalities such as checking balance, recharging, starting / stopping VAS services, provisioning 3G , raising and tracking service requests, viewing last 5 recharge details, among others, through a web interface, similar to what is available to Postpaid subscribers. They can also receive and activate customized offers, view tariff & top up options, and request for an itemized bill through the portal, according to the company. Although, Airtel had also introduced an SMS based service to track VAS deductions, we feel that a web interface will further help users to control activation and deactivation of VAS products, and also help in reducing false billing complaints. Also, with detailed call records, it will make things more transparent for both subscribers as well as the telco. We wonder why it took so long for operators to extend the service to prepaid customers, which constitute the largest chunk of their subscriber base. Airtel had recently launched a web interface for its mobile services, including for its Caller Ringback Tones (Hello Tunes) and other mobile Value Added Services, apart from launching its own online recharge platform a few weeks ago.
