Cos seek compensation for sending SMS alerts
NEW DELHI: Telecom operators have unanimously asked the government to compensate them for sending out millions of public alerts during disasters and other times, a costly and resource-guzzling exercise.
Such messages come under common alerting protocol (CAP), where the government requires telcos to disseminate them to spread information or awareness. They include messages on Covid-19 prevention, vaccination and safety precautions. At present, telcos do not charge the government or consumers for CAP messages.
“Telecom service providers (TSPs) should be suitably compensated for sending CAP-based alerts in non-disaster scenarios… the tariff should be fixed at 10p/SMS for all such messages basis the market discovered tariffs,” Reliance Jio said in a representation to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), in response to its consultation paper on the matter. Such a tariff would be reasonable enough that it covers all operational expenditure-related costs incurred, and also deter frivolous use of CAP, Jio added.
Bharti Airtel Ltd, Vodafone Idea Ltd and Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd together send out more than 450 million such messages every month, data from the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). Carriers are now calling for tariffs on such messages, for both disaster as well as non-disaster categories.
“TSPs have made considerable investments to meet the requirements of CAP and have built internal CAP platforms to meet the requirements of CDOT-CAP platform; therefore, it would be preposterous to contemplate the possibility of offering these services free of cost,” Jio argued further.
Typical bulk messaging costs 13-18 paise per SMS, which includes the SMS termination charge at 2 paise per SMS and promotional SMS termination at 5 paise per SMS.
A Bharti Airtel representation said telecom was the only utility segment providing free services during disasters, while others such as gas, fuel, water and electricity continue to charge consumers. Even though telecom infrastructure is often impacted during disasters, they’re the first ones to be “up and running” to ensure connectivity to support effective disaster management, the company pressed further.
“Since citizens of the impacted area are already in hardship during the period, it is logical that due consideration be given on whether the cost of SMS delivery is compensated by the state or ministry engage in relief management,” it said, putting the onus of compensation on the government instead of consumers.
Airtel also suggested a reimbursement of ₹0.02 per message during the period of disaster, and 7 paise per SMS for SMS alerts for non-disaster related emergencies.
“During disasters, there is significant cost escalation in running the network and therefore, we recommend authority to put in place tariff/reimbursement of SMS termination charge - ₹0.02/SMS for disasterspecific SMS alerts sent through the CAP platform,” Vodafone Idea said in its representation to the telecom regulator.