The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has directed operators to inform customers about the data usage limits of their broadband tariff plans. Operators will also have to inform users on the extent to which speed of connection would be reduced in case subscribers breach the 'fair usage' or data quota cap. TRAI’s decision aims to improve transparency and help customers keep a track of their consumption levels.
Operators are also required to notify users when their data usage reaches 50, 90 and 100 percent of the prescribed limit under their selected tariff plan. Fixed broadband services providers will have to ensure that download speed for a user does not drop below 512 kbps (as stipulated under telecom department norms) under any Fair Usage Plan, even after the assigned data quota expires.
Telecom service providers must also maintain a portal/ website, where users can check their usage at any point of time, TRAI also said. Mobile broadband service providers will have to specify the technology used for providing the data services alongwith the usage quota, and the speeds offered after the such data limits are breached.
