TDSAT Dismisses Telcos Plea Against Trai’s VAS Mandate

The telecom tribunal, TDSAT knocks off telcos challenge against Trai’s VAS guidelines issued in July 2012 and has directed them to implement Trai’s recommendations on VAS within 3 months. Trai had mandated operators to take explicit consent via SMS or email or Fax or in writing from customers before activating any value added services. With a view to protect the interest of the customers, Trai has directed operators to inform customers through SMS the due date for renewal of any subscribed value added service, the renewal charges, and a toll free number for unsubscribing from the service, 3 days before the date of renewal.