TRAI unveils a beta version of tariff comparison portal

With an aim to bring more transparency or say to enable consumers to see tariffs of different telecom service providers and Licensed Service Areas (LSAs) at a single place, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has unveiled a beta version of the portal which will bring information and help users about mobile tariffs of all operators on single platform.

For easy access, various tariff plans and other tariff instruments are provided at TRAI website in downloadable format. This platform would not only benefit the consumers but also help other stakeholders to do a comparative analysis, TRAI said.

"This is an effort to bring at one place all tariffs reported by operators and also offers a tool to compare those tariffs," said TRAI Secretary, SK Gupta.

He also asks users to provide their comments on parameters that have been captured for tariff comparison, and also suggest modifications, where needed.

"In 15 days, we will have a general consensus on this and it will set the stage for a framework for all-India tariffs information to be provided on the site," he further said.

Initially, telecom regulator has made is available for Delhi users and sought user feedback.

To get initial feedback on the look and feel of this portal from consumers, a beta version of tariff data for Delhi LSA is also made available on TRAI website www.trai.gov.in, the regulator said.

Consumers and stakeholders are requested to provide feedback by clicking "Feedback" option available in consumer view on TRAI website.

As we all know that telecom companies are launching their tariff plan on a daily basis to retain customers and currently the operators offer information only on their own websites which is very difficult to understand.

To recall, Incumbent telcos have accused Reliance Jio over the matter of transparency of tariff plans, especially counteroffers to retain users, need to be kept confidential to protect the competitive advantage while the newcomer batted for all plans to be made public on a common platform.

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The regulator has also barred operators from launching discriminatory offers to individual customers for retaining customers