From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Goa, Dec 8: The Telephone Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has clarified that the complete digitalization of cable TV network across India would be completed by December 31 next year.
“The Digitization of cable TV network has been already completed in 4 metro cities and 38 cities. There will be complete transition to Digital Cable TV by 31 December 2016,” said Dr Sibichen K Mathew, IRS, Regional Head (Karnataka, Kerala, Maharastra & Goa).
Dr Mathew was addressing the consumer outreach programme in Goa.
“All television subscribers in phase III Urban areas should mandatorily switch over to digital set top box by December 2015. Advantages of cable digitization such as better picture and sound quality, enhanced services like HD TV, Video on demand, Broadband, transparency and accountability in billing system and better complaint redressal mechanism etc were also discussed during the programme,” he added.
Mobile Tower Radiations
In the meeting, Mathew mentioned that lack of adequate number of mobile towers was one of the reasons for deteriorating quality of mobile services.
Mathew informed that the mobile tower radiations were nothing but radio waves. It was mentioned that there is public concern about possible health hazards from EMF exposures from mobile towers, which has lead to active scientific debate among the research agencies across the globe and this matter has been studied intensively and in various countries.
“After a detailed examination of the findings of number of studies there is no conclusive evidence of adverse effect of EMF radiation on human health,” he said.
“Regarding the tower-radiation fears, he explained that the government in India has implemented stringent norms compared to other countries to ensure that there is no adverse effect on human health from electromagnetic radiation from the mobile towers and handsets,” he added.
Complaint Redressal
In case of any complaint or service request, the subscriber has to call Customer Care Number of their service providers and register their complaint. If consumer is not satisfied with the redressal of his complaint, he can approach Appellate Authority. The contact details of Appellate Authority would be available in the start-up kit, website of the service providers and their sales outlets. The consumers can visit the portal – www.tccms.gov.in - which facilitates locating the “Consumer Care Number”, “General Information Number”, contact details of the complaint centre and Appellate Authority of the service provider.
Mobile Number Portability
The mobile consumer can move from one service provider to another service provider (retaining the existing number) by Mobile Number Portability (MNP). Under MNP, the mobile user is eligible to make a porting request only after 90 days from the date of activation. To get UPC, consumers has to send -PORT xxxxxxxxxx (10 digit mobile no.) to 1900 and the UPC code is valid for 15 days.
Unsolicited Commercial Communications
Consumers have an option to selectively receive telemarketing calls and SMS. The consumer has to register his preference by sending SMS/call to 1909. Once registered, he would cease to receive commercial communications as per preference after a period of 7 days from the date of registration. Even after registration, if a consumer receives such calls/SMS, he can register a complaint at 1909 within three days of receipt. Telemarketing SMS/Calls cannot be made from a 10 digit number.
Value Added Service
VAS services will be activated only after the 2nd confirmation by the consumer. The consumer can deactivate any value added services at any time through the toll-free number 155223.
Information to consumers
· Prepaid consumers can get itemized usage for calls, SMS, data and VAS services from the service providers for any period in the past 6 months. A tariff plan once offered shall be valid for minimum six months. (both for prepaid and post paid). Consumers are free to migrate from one plan to another plan without any charge.
· Billing complaints should be resolved within four weeks.
· The service providers will have to offer special plans for roaming subscribers in which subscribers can avail of partial free roaming or full free roaming in lieu of payment of fixed charges.
· The mobile connections of prepaid consumers shall not be deactivated for any period of usage less than 90 days.
· Request for Termination is to be completed within a time limit of 7 days. Customers not to be charged rental or any other charges beyond the period of 7 days of request for closure made by the customer. ring the programme.
Lt Col Manish Raghav, Joint Advisor and Latha H C, Senior Research Officer also participated in the programme.