Trai's Android app to allow mobile subscribers to give feedback on telecom services

Mobile phone subscribers can now give instant feedback on quality of services provided by operators to regulator Trai through online or through an Android based mobile application. Operators will invite penalty if they fail to meet minimum service quality benchmarks set up Telcom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). “Considering the growing penetration of Internet and smart phones, Trai has introduced a Web-based application as well as an Android-based app for assessing customer perception of cellular services,” TRAI Secretary Sudhir Gupta said in a note. Under existing regulations, Trai can impose up to Rs 50,000 penalty on telecom operators for failing to meet any quality of service parameter for mobile services and up to Rs1 lakh for repeating such failure. Earlier reports suggest that Trai has issued draft regulations to facilitate full mobile number portability which is set to start from May 3. The full or nationwide mobile number portability (MNP) will allow consumers to change service provider in any part of the country while retaining their existing number. At present, mobile number portability allows consumers to change their service provider within a telecom circle which in most cases is limited to a state. The regulator has fixed timeline on both the old or donor service provider and new or recipient service provider for clear communication about dues cleared by the subscriber to ensure continuity of service. With inputs from PTI