Trai orders telcos to inform consumers about broadband speed and data limit

TRAI aims to protect the interest of consumers, and facilitate further growth of the Internet and broadband services in India.

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The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), has directed telecom companies to bring more transparency by informing customers about the data usage limits on their broadband plans. In a statement released yesterday, TRAI has asked telcos to provide fixed line broadband users with details about data usage limit, specifying speed of broadband connection up to specified usage limit and speed post that data limit.

TRAI has also directed service providers to inform mobile broadband users about data usage limit with specified primary technology (i.e. 3G or 4G) and speed offered for data usage beyond that limit. TRAI is also suggesting telecom service providers to publish the data on their websites in the form of advertisements published through any media.

TRAI says the move is aimed at bringing transparency across telecom services in the country. TRAI also says the new directive will help consumers better track their data usage. In case of fixed broadband services, TRAI has advised telcos to ensure minimum download speed of 512kbps under any Fair Usage Policy.

Back in August, TRAI recommended telecom service providers to make 2Mbps minimum broadband speed. The new directive asked broadband providers to provide alerts to subscribers via SMS on their registered mobile number each time the usage crosses 50, 90 and 100 per cent of the limit under existing plan.