Be a Smart Telecom Subscriber

India is the second-biggest market for wireless services, lagging only China which has more than 600 million users but also overtaking the USA in the recent years. The telecom subscriber's base has increased by about 43% in the recent research.
The fast growth of Telecom industry also has its impact on increased number of complains.
National Consumer Helpline issued some important advisories for consumers which need to follow to become a smart telecom subscriber. These are:
• Study and compare tariff plans by different service providers. Also compare plans by one service provider. Subscribe to the plan most suiting to your usage requirement.
• Value added service cannot be activated without your explicit consent.
• If your telephone remains dead for more than 3 working days, the rental rebate for 7 days is to be allowed automatically by the service provider. Log a complaint if rebate is not given.
• Network coverage and call drops.
• Non-refund of security amount.
• The connection is to be disconnected within 24 hrs of receipt of your request and the security amount is to be refunded by the service provider within 60 days failing which interest is to be paid by the Service Provider @ 10%p.a.
• Pay all dues/bills before "pay by date" to avoid disconnection.
• Do not keep quiet if you feel not getting proper service or being cheated, howsoever small the amount involved.
• A new connection is required to be activated within 7 days. A abridge version of manual containing required contact details of the service should be demanded free of cost at the time of getting the connection.
• The companies on their own cannot activate any service which is on chargeable basis.
• Any plan subscriber by the customer is to be available for a minimum period of six months or till the validity of the plan. The customer can change plan at any time of the choice.
• In case, you do not wish to get disturb from unsolicited communication, please register your details with Do Not Cal Registry of your service provider.

• In case of logging any complaint against your company, please do not forget to ask for the unique complaint number as the same is mandatory for companies to provide.
• The hierarchy of the complaint handling system in telecom has been structured as, i)24*7 Toll free Call centre, ii) Nodal Officer and iii)Appellate Authorities.
Telecom Regulatory Authority Of India has been proactively and relentlessly working towards the issues of consumer concern and also growth of telecom industry. National Consumer Helpline has also taken up the complaints with respective telecom companies for their redressal.