'Mobile connections with Rs 20 balance cannot be deactivated'

Telecom regulator TRAI today said inactive mobile connections of pre-paid customers cannot be deactivated if they have a minimum balance of Rs 20 in their account and the time period for considering 'inactive' has been set at 90 days.

Telecom regulator TRAI today said inactive mobile connections of pre-paid customers cannot be deactivated if they have a minimum balance of Rs 20 in their account and the time period for considering 'inactive' has been set at 90 days.

HT Image

Announcing an amendment to a regulation for protecting consumers, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said: "There shall be no deactivation if the balance in pre-paid consumer account is Rs 20 or more."

"The mobile connections of prepaid consumers shall not be deactivated for any period of non-usage less than 90 days," TRAI said.

As per amended regulations, telecom operator will have to provide facility to pre-paid to reactivate numbers by paying reasonable amount.

"A consumer whose connection is deactivated shall be given a grace period of 15 days within which he can reactivate the same number," TRAI added.