In light of the increase in complaints by consumers, Telecom
Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has notified a compensatory
mechanism for consumers facing call drops. TRAI has mandated that
call drops are instances of 'deficiency in service' on part
of the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and has thus ordered
compensation by the TSPs to every consumer facing a call drop. The
TSPs understandably don't welcome the move and contend that if
the compensatory mechanism, which has been discussed in this
article, is implemented, they are set to lose out as compensation
up to 3-5% of the industry's annual revenue which is
approximately USD 36 billion.
According to the TRAI Act, 1997, the function of TRAI
inter-alia is to lay down and ensure the standards of
quality of service to be provided by the TSPs and conduct
periodical survey of such service so as to protect the interests of
the consumers of telecommunication service. In exercise of these
powers, TRAI had laid down
