The telecom regulatory authority of India has issued “The Telecom Consumer Protection (Fourth Amendment) Regulations, 2012” permitting telcos to offer Combo Vouchers.The new combo vouchers will enable telecom operators to offer customers a monetary value and tariff concessions through a single voucher. Currently, the Telecom Consumer Protection Regulation, 2012 (TCPR) allows only three categories of vouchers, namely Plan Vouchers that subscribes customers to a tariff plan, Top-ups that allow monetary value and STVs or special tariff vouchers that allow customers with tariff concessions. In the press release, TRAI claims that there have been demands from several service providers and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) to allow a fourth category of vouchers (Combo Vouchers). The Combo Vouchers would be an additional category of vouchers under the (TCPR) that would provide monetary value and tariff concessions through a single voucher. TRAI requires telecom operators to follow following guidelines to provide combo voucher: The Combo Vouchers should be made available only in denomination other than Rs.10 and multiples thereof. The Combo Vouchers, to be made available in physical form, should bear a blue color band whereas the Top-Up Vouchers bear a green color band. The Combo Vouchers should clearly mention the terms and conditions of offer so that consumers can make an informed choice. Telecom operators will also have to mention the availability of standalone top up vouchers whenever combo vouchers are publicized.
