Kohima Bureau
Kohima, Dec. 9 (EMN): With an aim to create awareness among the telecom and broadcasting consumers about their rights and privileges, a consumer outreach programme was organised by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in the conference hall of the new directorate’s building, department of IT and Communication, Kohima, on Dec. 9.
TN Das, joint advisor of TRAI, Kolkota, in his keynote address said the programme was organised to create awareness among telecom, broadcasting consumers and stakeholders about TRAI’s initiative while also keeping in mind to educate consumers and take feedbacks from Nagaland.
In his presentation, he said subscribers could deactivate Value Added Services (VAS) by calling the toll-free number 155223 or send (STOP). The telemarketing calls or messages could be opted out by calling or sending an SMS (‘START<space>0) to the number 1909, he informed.
On tower frauds, he said TRAI receives a lot of complaints of fraud companies promising high rent for setting up of tower but vanish after taking money for setting up in the name of government fee or taxes. Urging the public to be more cautious, he said TRAI has no role in the installation of mobile towers.
Das also said 408 consumer outreach programmes were held across the country in the last two years and 96 programmes were planned for the year 2017-18.
He also gave a brief presentation on tariffs and account/usage information, mobile data services, unsolicited commercial communications, mobile number portability, broadcasting services.
KD Vizo, commissioner-secretary of information technology and communication, said many of the activities undertaken by TRAI were hardly implemented in places like Nagaland because TRAI has never visited the state in the past. However with the new initiative, he hoped the programme won’t be their last visit.
He also noted on some key issues faced by Nagaland which needed immediate attention of TRAI so that the message might be carried to higher authorities and take necessary actions at the earliest.
Pointing out that the progress is still very slow in Nagaland despite the GoI notification for mandatory linking of Aadhaar mobile numbers, he asked TRAI to instruct Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to set up stalls in important public places to speed up the process at the earliest.
Also stating that telecom business is one of the few successful business models in the state, but the TSPs were reluctant to outsource their customer support and VAS to the state Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), he urged TRAI to advice them to create employment and service opportunities to the local youth.
With lack of connectivity in the remote areas, he said TRAI should strictly enforce telecom licensing mobile and internet facilities conditions so that even the remote areas in the state are also given basic facilities.
He hoped that through the visit, TSPs would be made to understand that they are here not just for making profits but also have service obligation to the people.
