TRAI To See if Telecom Plans Match Customer Needs; Considers Survey

TRAI, the apex telecom regulator, is planning to conduct a consumer-facing survey. This survey will help the regulator to assess if tariff plans offered by telcos are meeting the actual requirements of users. The source is a top official from the regulator. The official added that TRAI may rope in an agency to conduct the survey for it.

What's more, the survey will start soon. Given that India has a vast demographic diversity, the regulator wishes to make any changes, if necessary.

What Could the TRAI Survey Be About?

The official noted that the telecom plans are already under scrutiny. Even so, TRAI wants to see how customer-oriented these plans are. In that regard, a survey can provide crucial insights in the plans in the market. Additionally, the insights from the survey can help the regulator to enforce any necessary changes to the plans.

The tariffs plans need to look at what the customers need. These customers include those looking for voice as well as data. This will make sure that telcos don't try to steer customers towards a specific type of tariff plan. This will also make sure that customers get the best valued plans for their money.

The key concern is the similarities between different packs available in the market. Many times, a variety of packs tend to be quite similar, even though their target audience varies greatly. A similarity in different packs can mean that telcos are trying to compete without keeping their customers in mind. This habit can prove detrimental to the telcos in the long run.

How Will the TRAI Survey Go About?

TRAI may rope in an agency to conduct the survey. Moreover, the survey will initially focus on consumers in small pockets. The modalities of the survey, including medium of conducting the survey, will come to light in the coming days.

Apparently, there is no trigger for the survey. The official source has noted that the overall the role of the regulator is to keep a watch on the market. Furthermore, the official added that the regulator will ensure that the sector is functioning smoothly without compromising on customer interests.

Right now, the telcos have practically a free hand over the rates and tariffs. The telcos have to report plans to TRAI in seven working days of launch, however. Moving forward, TRAI may not be so generous.