Trai begins online OHDS, but tariff floor price issue may not be taken up for now
NEW DELHI: Telecom regulator Trai on Wednesday resumed its customary open house discussion (OHD) on pending matters through video-conference but the issue of floor price of tariffs is unlikely to be taken up via online mode for now, till the ongoing situation arising from COVID-19 pandemic stabilises, a source said.
The Trai source said the regulator may soon come out with a consultation paper dealing with bill shocks in international mobile roaming, that will seek to address the issues faced by consumers in terms of loss of connectivity, and high bills.
The modalities of the consultation paper will be finalised soon, and it may be released within a month.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has, so far, lined up at least two OHDS - a standard practice followed by it to take verbal inputs from industry and public on specific issues - through video-conference for this month.
The source said in all probability an OHD will also be organised on the issue of “transparency in publishing of tariff offers”, by month end.
Besides, at least 3-4 other OHDS will take place next month through video-conference, and online will be the regular mode for such discussions till things get back to normal.
Even once things are back to normal, OHDS may assume a hybrid format, to ensure increased participation, the source added.
However, the issue of fixing floor price of tariffs may not figure immediately in OHD via video-conference, the source said adding that some of the pending matters are likely to be taken up first.
Also, given the ongoing scenario of Coronavirus pandemic and the difficulties faced by people, Trai may wait for situation to stabilise before it proceeds to the OHD stage on floor price issue, the source said.
When contacted, Cellular Operators’ Association of India (Coai)director General Rajan Mathews recently said that the regulator is aware of the industry’s sense of urgency, but that the industry will wait for Trai to take a call.