Cellphone subscribers using prepaid services will have to pay an extra Rs 1 every time they recharge their coupons for more than Rs 20. Out of India’s 900 million mobile phone subscribers, more than 90% are prepaid users.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has increased the “processing fee on top-up vouchers to Rs 3 from Rs 2 in respect of top-up vouchers having maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs 20 and above and will continue with the existing ceiling of Rs 2 in respect of top up vouchers having MRP of less than Rs 20.” The TRAI issued amendments to the Telecom Tariff Order (TTO).
“While increasing the processing fee on top-up vouchers the authority has sought to protect the interests of low end users by excluding the lower denominations of top-up vouchers from the hike,” said the telecom regulator in a statement on Thursday.
“The authority has also mandated the service providers to ensure availability of Rs 10 denomination as top-up voucher.”