Telecom firms under TRAI lens for 'misleading' ads

TRAI has issued show cause notice to Bharti, Reliance and Idea for not adhering to prescribed format for advertising tariffs.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued show cause notices to Bharti, Reliance Infocomm, and Idea Cellular for not adhering to prescribed format for advertising tariffs to consumers.

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TRAI has given the three companies time till December 1 to reply as to why appropriate action under the relevant provisions of law should not be taken against them for violation, sources said.

Confirming the receipt of the notice, Reliance spokesperson from Mumbai said, "TRAI had raised certain issues and we will provide explanation on all those issues."

Bharti denied that the company was served any such notice. Idea Cellular's spokesperson said, "I am not aware of any such notice being served on the company."

In August, TRAI issued guidelines on publication of tariffs by service providers for consumer information to make them better aware of the overall financial expenditure incurred under any particular tariff plan.

The format advertisement has categories for detailed information -- name of the tariff package, entry level cost including security deposit, advances, rental, other monthly recurring charges like plan and membership fees, commitment charges, monthly free call allowances in terms of minutes or rupees, duration of the Plan.