Lifetime validity offers galore

[Rohit Rocker 0]

The Airtel Lifetime offer for 28 years has a very important term which says that the offer may lapse in case of any contaract change or a change in TRAI's policy.

[Ramchi 0]

I know, thats why I normally change the contract and then only sign it! I will keep a copy of it. I recommand everyone to read and alter the contract with your pen before signing it. You must demand that with your customer representatives. If they do not agree with your terms then reject that offer.

[spdf 0]

I knew it!! Some thing will come up against the Lifetime offers. That's why i was waiting before jumping into it. I hope it will be cleared by TRAI as almost the entire telecom providers have initiated LTV- even BSNL and MTNL.

So lets hope it will stay forever.

[Harshad 1]

MTNL offer: local cell calls at 80 paise/min

January 13, 2006 18:34 IST

Mahanagar Telecom Nigam Ltd is extending its lifetime validity cards to post-paid mobile segment, under which users have to pay Rs 800 as one-time charge for rent-free connection lifelong and 80 paise a minute for local calls.

The public sector unit, which has already launched lifetime validity card in prepaid segment, is launching the post-paid card from January 15 where 80 paise a minute will be charged for local calls to MTNL mobile network while to other networks, it will be Rs 1.20 a minute, the PSU said in a statement.

STD call rates to all networks will be Rs 2.40 a minute while activation charges for this connection is Rs 500.

MTNL has also reduced its call rates on existing post-paid plans -- Budget, Economy and A&B.

"The local call rates on these plans is 75 paise to MTNL (mobile, fixed and WLL networks and to other networks it will be Rs 1.20 a minute. The STD charges will remain at the same level of Rs 2.40 a minute with Rs 500 as activation charges on all plans," it said.

Currently, a mobile-to-mobile call within MTNL network costs 90 paise.

MTNL's post-paid lifelong users along with other existing Plans can enjoy a 'Half Rate' period during which local calls from Dolphin post-paid mobile to all MTNL networks (Mobile, WLL and fixed) will be charged at half the normal rates between 11 pm-8 am.

Dolphin users can select up to three Dolphin/Trump numbers on which local calls will be free by making a monthly rental of Rs 50 per number.

The PSU has also waived off roaming charges of Rs 30 a month and security deposit for STD have been reduced from Rs 2,000 to Rs 1,000.

A rent free GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) plan has been introduced and usage rates on the Plan shall be 25 paise per kilobytes.

MTNLs into the lifetime rentalfree- postpaid scenario too !!

Time for Hutch, Airtel and TATA to unleash their respective lifetime offers too for postpaid subscribers.

[Arun 795]

All about 'incoming free for life' mobile plans

- Rediff.com

Manu A B in Mumbai | January 16, 2006

'Incoming free for lifetime' is the latest mantra of telecom service providers in India. The launch of prepaid cards with lifetime validity for incoming calls is just another attempt to chain customers to a single service provider for life!

In India, about 78 per cent of the mobile users are prepaid cardholders and this segment is growing at a very fast pace. And telecom operators are now wooing this segment with newer offers.

According to operators, the advantage of this scheme is that a prepaid user can continue to receive incoming calls 'for life' even after the recharge period is over, as against the current system of restricted validity, based on the value of the recharge package.

But will the user actually get incoming calls 'free for life'? Or is there a catch?

Well, this move by the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) service providers is close on the heels of the 'Non-Stop Mobile' scheme launched by Tata Teleservices recently, which allows a customer to receive calls for two years without buying a recharge voucher. This scheme has turned out to be a big hit.

New users are often attracted to the longest validity period offers and these schemes aim to hook a good majority of new subscribers.

Meanwhile, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India officials have raised several doubts on the viability of these schemes. Trai officials would be examining all the aspects of the schemes and would take necessary steps if required. Trai has sought details on the lifetime validity schemes from all the service providers.

At a meeting held on January 12, Trai said that lifetime validity tariff plans raise the following issues:

Long-term viability and sustainability of these plans.

Whether lifetime can exceed the balance licence period of the operators and if not, would the plans vary in their validity duration.

What will happen to the plans if the traffic patterns and Interconnect User Charges regime changes substantially, and the matter of protection of interest of consumers who are subscribing to the lifetime tariff plan.

Trai expects the final decision in this regard would be taken by February 2006.

So what does 'incoming free for lifetime' actually mean?

First and foremost, it is not 'free for life' as all the service providers specify that the user must recharge every six months to stay mobile! And more importantly, every call you make will be more expensive than the normal prepaid call charge. So there goes the 'free' claim out of the window.

Here's a look at the various plans on offer.

The Airtel offer

Airtel was the first to announce the lifetime validity for incoming calls scheme from among the GSM players. An Airtel mobile user will have to pay Rs 999 to avail of the new scheme, following which the user can receive incoming calls 'free for a lifetime' on the condition that the user recharges the card once every 6 months.

The call charges are much higher than normal charges.

According to Airtel, the lifetime prepaid card also offers the user full talk time on every future recharge of any denomination (service tax is of course deducted on cards of any value). The call rates are Rs 1.99 for all local calls and Rs 2.99 for all STD calls.

Hutch's Chalta Rahe

Hutch's lifetime card matches the Airtel rate of Rs 999.

The calls charges are at par with Airtel. The rates are: Rs 1.99/minute for all local calls and Rs 2.99/minute for all STD calls. This card of Rs 999 gives you a talk time of just Rs 25. Hutch also offers full talk time on all future recharges and but customers will need to recharge with at least a minimum available recharge of Rs 10 once every 6 months to stay mobile.

This is what the Hutch Website states:

Validity for lifetime (for incoming calls) is applicable as per license period in each circle and is subject to change in case any regulatory condition changes in the future.

Connection will be permanently deactivated if no recharge happens for any continuous period of 6 months.

MTNL's Jeevan Sathi

Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd's Jeevan Sathi is available for Rs 900. While the card costs Rs 900, the talk time value is only Rs 100. However, MTNL promises full talk time on future recharge.

'Full talk time' is another misnomer. Taxes are always deducted from even the Rs 10 'chhota' recharge of Hutch!

MTNL has also introduced a recharge card of Rs 2,650 with three-year validity in the same segment. The call charges of Rs 2,650 recharge coupon are 90 paise a minute for a local call within MTNL GSM network (Trump-to-Trump or Dolphin) and for all mobile other networks, it is Rs 1.50 and STD at Rs 2.40 a minute across the networks.

Idea Cellular's lifelong offer

Idea Cellular has taken the validity card scheme to the post-paid subscribers as well. Under its lifelong offer, postpaid customers will not have to pay any monthly rental for life, this can be availed by just paying a one-time amount of Rs 995 and prepaid customers can avail lifelong validity on a recharge of Rs 995 and get Rs 25 talk time.

It will charge 99 paise per minute for mobile-to-mobile local calls, 99 paise per 30 seconds for other local and STD calls, it said.

Under the prepaid lifelong tariff, the company will charge Rs 1.99 for calls for one minute, while STD calls would be charged Rs 2.99 paise per minute, it said.

Idea Cellular has also introduced 'I-Power prepaid vouchers' under two schemes, with one package offering a three-year validity and a talk time of Rs 150 for Rs 2,999, and the other offering a 2-year validity and a talk time of Rs 100 for Rs 1,199.

Reliance Infocomm's lifetime gift

The lifetime validity prepaid voucher costs Rs 995. This has a talk time of Rs 50. The user will have the option to choose a range of prepaid vouchers and tariff plans as per his requirement.

If the user expects high outgoing calls in a particular month, he can use Rs 430 voucher and get the benefit of lower calling rates (Rs 430 voucher offers night calling to another RIM number for free and day calling at 40 paise per minute within the state), according to the company statement.

Recharge coupons are available from Rs 10 and the calls are charged at Rs 1.99 for a local call and Rs 2.99 for all other calls in India. Also on offer is a 'Marathon SMS Pack' worth Rs 180, through which 18,000 SMSes can be sent over six months.

Wait till February

Essentially, the schemes by all the companies are valid only if the user recharges once in six months. With Trai raising doubts over the viability of these plans, it would be wise to wait till the final verdict is out in February. It is also advisable to seek detailed information on any scheme before going for it.

Ideally, customers have to calculate how much money they spend on the calls on monthly basis now and how many recharges they need in a month and compare the call rates, before they go for a lifetime scheme. So the choice is between high rates and being with the same provider for life or flexibility of choosing the recharge coupons depending upon his/her need.

While the prepaid users are free to make their choice, the ambiguous lifetime plans will also curb their freedom.

As the competition grows, companies will launch many innovative offers. Exciting times are ahead for customers considering BSNL's offer to cut STD rates by about 70 per cent and the introduction of OneIndia tariff (uniform tariff across India) this year. So here's looking forward to talking for a lifetime without worrying about the bills!

[abhay 0]

Lifetime telecom schemes: the India vs US story

Lifetime validity schemes launched by Indian telecom operators have boosted the mobile subscriber numbers in December.

While very few countries have a concept of lifetime validity, FE pored over TRAI's paper on lifetime validity to compare schemes offered in India with those in the US where such schemes have been as much a success.

According to the TRAI paper, RNK Telecom in the US offers lifetime internet phone calls at $999 with unlimited calling to domestic US locations, Canada and 20 other countries with a 60 day money back guarantee, Indian cellcos offer no such features.

The 'Phone for Life' offer made by RNK Telecom provides guaranteed 50% refund if the customer is not satisfied after 5 years. One can also make unlimited calls to domestic US locations, Canada and 20 other countries, plus 21 additional foreign cities.

In comparison, lifetime offers by Indian cellcos offer no refund. Offered under names such as Chalta Rahe, Jeevan Sathi and Lifelong offer, the schemes allow free talktime of Rs 25-Rs100 in comparison to unlimited talktime by US based RNK Telecom. RNK provides wholesale services to Broadband providers and carriers in the US.

"In the lifetime validity schemes offered by Indian cellcos, the consumer is left with no option but to forego the money if he is not satisfied with the service. The operators have also not clarified on the viability of the scheme if the termination charge lowers in future," said a Trai official.

RNK Telecom has agreed to make the services transferable to heirs, meaning it could continue in perpetuity. As compared, Indian cellcos have not clarified anything in this regard.

Though RNK offers services on VoIP, the company promises to switch customers over to any technology that renders VoIP obsolete. With rival VoIP services costing $ 25 to $ 30 a month RNK's lifetime deal potentially could pay off after about three years.

RNK Telecom consulted actuarial tables and considered the average US life expectancy of 77.4 years in setting the suggested one time price for its VoIP service plan.

Indian cellcos like Reliance, Hutch, Bharti, MTNL and Idea have priced Lifetime schemes at Rs 900-995 to address a segment which depends on more incoming than outgoing calls.

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_st...ntent_id=114875

something similar

TRAI raises issues on `life time' schemes

[anujit 0]

'Lifetime' validity not for life

- Business Standard

Joji Thomas Philip / New Delhi February 6, 2006

The pre-paid scheme works as long as a mobile operator's licence is valid.

If you thought lifetime validity for your pre-paid mobile connection is valid for the rest of your life, think again. The plans are only valid for as long as a telecom services operator’s licence is.

It has been found that licences of most operators will remain valid for not more than 15-odd years. This is because the first set of telecom licences was issued in 1994-95 for a period of 20 years.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has been able to unearth this during discussions with operators on the viability and sustainability of “lifetime validity” offers made by them.

What is more, tariff plans for “lifetime validity” can be changed by service providers. The operators — both GSM and CDMA —have informed Trai that their tariff plans have been designed and structured keeping in view the present licencing, regulatory and interconnect user charge regimes.

If any of this were to change in the future, the tariff packages will be altered. The operators have also pointed out that under existing laws, they are only required to ensure that tariffs for lifetime validity plans remain unchanged only for a period of six months from the time a subscriber buys such a plan.

Operators have also failed to give specific answers to Trai queries on measures they will take to protect consumer interest, the nature of penalty for violations by service providers and whether call charges for these schemes should be monitored.

Instead, operators have said that there are many variables in the market place that may force them to constantly tailor tariffs to attract new customers.

“Trai, having prescribed forbearance for cellular tariffs, should not seek to withdraw this flexibility or indulge in micro-management,” they added.

To the regulator’s queries on the sustainability of these offers, operators have said, “As these plans have not been in operation for a long period of time, it is difficult to conclude on the validity and sustainability of these plans. We believe that at least six months are required to come to a reasonable conclusion on the viability of any tariff plan.”

Lifetime validity means life of license, not consumers'

PTI [MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2006 06:54:34 PM]

NEW DELHI:

That nothing lasts forever was proved again on Monday with cellular operators defining their 'lifetime validity schemes' as good only for the lifetime of their licences and not that of customers.

With the term lifetime spelling out different connotation for different categories of people like customers, operators, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has stated: "The lifetime plans of the cellular operators can only be offered during the lifetime of their license and to that extent the lifetime plans of different operators will vary in their validity duration.

"The service providers cannot commit to a service offering beyond the lifetime of their license."

Licences are issued for a period of 20 years. This means, an operator who received a licence 10 years ago would be able to offer the scheme only for another decade.

COAI's clarification came in response to Trai's request for views on whether lifetime could exceed the balance license period of the operators and if not, would the plans vary in their validity duration.

The association has also called for flexibility in these plans as and when required due to regulatory and liecensing requirement, saying: "the tariff plans that have been introduced by the operators have been structured keeping in view the prevalent licensing and regulatory regime, including the prevalent Interconnect Usage Charges regime and any substantial change in the regime may necessitate a change in the tariff package offered by the service providers."

[shan 0]

bad news... life time offers may dissappear !

No Trai lifeline for lifetime validity

The Finiancial Express

Wednesday, February 08, 2006 at 0042 hours IST

NEW DELHI, FEB 7:

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is planning to ask mobile operators to withdraw lifetime validity schemes on the grounds that they mislead the customers, Trai sources told FE.

Offered under different names like Jeevan Saathi, Chalta Rahe, LifeLong and Lifetime Validity, these schemes are misinforming customers with misleading titles, Trai sources said.

The Trai stand comes on the basis of a direction it issued in September, 2005 to withdraw plans with misleading titles. Just two days ago, cell operators said that lifetime validity means the lifetime of their license and not the subscribers’ lifetime.

Alternatively, Trai may ask operators to specify their start and end date of license period, alter the scheme name and provide exit options to subscribers.

In contrast, COAI had said that there is no need to spell out any exit options for these plans. Responding to Trai’s stand, COAI director general TV Ramachandran said, “Earlier when we (GSM operators) complained on the introduction of a two year validity scheme (by Tata Indicom), Trai didn’t say anything. Now, when (GSM) customers are responding to lifetime schemes, Trai wants to stop them.”

Trai believes the operators introduced lifetime schemes to counter introduction of MNP (Mobile Number Portability). “Lifetime validity offer at about Rs1000 may act as a barrier for MNP. Cellcos which do not favour MNP could take the position that MNP would be irrelevant once every operator has acquired a huge proportion of subscribers in their lifetime tariff plans,” Trai said.

[Rohit Rocker 0]

SAB JHOL JHAAL HAI...

By the way i have a doubt. These schemes offer free incomming. But, if we racharge with a voucher of 1 month validity, then will we be able to make outgoing calls after one month? Or will it be stopped after that, and only leaving us with incomming calls, unless we recharge again....

[Arun 795]

That depends upon the operator's offer. For instance, Reliance allows you to recharge with any RCV and get the tariff (for outgoing calls) of that RCV until the validity of that RCV ends. After that, the outgoing call charges will become the same that was there for the lifetime offer.

[Rohit Rocker 0]

So you mean to say that we will still be able to make calls after the expiry of the RCV. The only thing which changes is the tariff rate.

[Arun 795]

yes, for Reliance's lifetime offer

Here's a short summary of the lifetime prepaid offers by different providers:

Nazim Khan | February 22, 2006

Note: All call charges are per minute.

Reliance IndiaMobile

Cost

Rs 995

Free talk time

Rs 50

Recharge denominations

Starts as low as Rs 10. You can couple the lifetime offer with recharge coupons that allow you to make outgoing calls for as little as 40 paise and send an SMS for 1 paisa.

Call and SMS rates with lifetime validity

Local calls: Rs 1.99

STD calls: Rs 2.99

Local SMS: Rs 1

National SMS: Rs 2

Call and SMS rates on non-lifetime validity prepaid cards

Local Reliance to Reliance/ FWP/ FPT: Rs 0.99

Local calls to other phones: Rs 1.79

STD calls to Reliance: Rs 1.79

STD calls to any other phone: Rs 2.49

Local SMS: Re 1

National SMS: Rs 2

The small print on lifetime validity

The connection will be deactivated if there is no transaction in the account for six months. And since it's a CDMA service, it can be used only with Reliance-ready handsets, which means switching services can be rather expensive. One advantage of this service is that you can combine lifetime validity with special schemes that suit your mobile usage.

Special schemes (available on both lifetime validity as well as non-lifetime validity cards):

Make free calls to Reliance phones by recharging with a Rs 440 coupon (valid for 30 days, talk time Rs 100).

One Nation, One Tariff: Buy a Rs 1,100 voucher and call any phone in India at Re 1 (valid for 30 days, talk time worth Rs 750).

SMS Top-up: For a Rs 55 top-up card you can send unlimited SMSes to Reliance phones across India (valid for 30 days). For a Rs 180 recharge you can send 18000 SMSes (valid for six months).

Airtel Lifetime Prepaid

Cost

Rs 999

Free talk time

Rs 25. Full talk time (less taxes) on subsequent recharges

Recharge denominations

Rs 60 to Rs 3,300

Call and SMS rates with lifetime validity

Local calls: Rs 1.99

STD calls: Rs 2.99

Local SMS: Rs 0.99

National SMS: Rs 1.99

Call and SMS rates on non-lifetime validity prepaid cards

Local calls to Airtel phones: Re 1

Local calls GSM/ WLL/ landline: Rs 2.25

STD calls to Airtel phones: Rs 2

STD calls to GSM/WLL/landline: Rs 2.9

Local SMS: Rs 1.50 (up to 160 characters)

National SMS: Rs 2

The small print on lifetime validity

The connection will be permanently deactivated if you don't make an outgoing call/ get an incoming call/ or buy a recharge for a continuous period of six months. So you can't stash away your mobile in your drawer, forget about it and still retain your connection. You cannot opt for any of the above mentioned special schemes once you have opted for the lifetime validity plan.

Special schemes (not available on lifetime validity offers)

Airtel One Local: Make local calls to any GSM mobile phone for Re 1 by paying a monthly rental of Rs 25.

Airtel One STD: Make STD calls at Rs 2 for a monthly rental of Rs 50 and a one-time activation charge of Rs 50.

Airtel Friendz: Send local SMSes at Rs 0.30 and make calls between 11 pm and 7 am to an Airtel phone at Rs 0.50 for a monthly rental of Rs 30

Hutch Chalta Rahe

Cost

Rs 999

Free talk time

Rs 25, with full talk time (less taxes) on every future recharge

Recharge denominations

Rs 10 to Rs 3,300

Call and SMS rates with lifetime validity

Local calls: Rs 1.99

STD calls: Rs 2.99

Local SMS: Rs 1.50

National SMS: Rs 2.50

Call and SMS rates on non-lifetime validity prepaid cards

Local calls to GSM/ CDMA/ landline: Rs 1.99

STD calls to GSM/ CDMA/ landline: Rs 2.64

Local SMS: Rs 1.50

National SMS: Rs 2

The small print on lifetime validity

You have to recharge every six months, or your connection will be cut off. The plus point is that you can get recharge coupons for as little as Rs 10. As in the case of Airtel, you cannot activate the special schemes after opting for lifetime validity.

Special schemes (not available with lifetime validity)

Get Closer: Make an STD call to any Hutch phone at Re 1 for a monthly rental of Rs 25.

Wait Till Night: Send an SMS to any local Hutch phone between 10 pm to 10 am for Rs 0.10 for a monthly rental of Rs 25.

Talk@99p: Make calls to any local mobile phone @ Rs 0.99 for a monthly rental of Rs 25.

MTNL Trump Jeevan Sathi

One-time cost

Rs 990

Free talk time

Rs 100, with full talk time (less taxes) for subsequent recharges

Recharge denominations

Between Rs 100 and Rs 2,640

Call and SMS rates for both lifetime validity and non-lifetime validity schemes

Local calls to Dolphin/Trump: Rs 0.90

Local calls to any other phone: Rs 1.50

STD calls within Maharashtra/ Goa (any phone): Rs 1.75

STD calls outside Maharashtra/Goa: Rs 2.40

Local SMS: Rs 0.50

National SMS: Rs 1.50

Note: Call rates are the same, whether you choose a lifetime validity scheme or any other offer. MTNL does not have any special scheme that can be coupled with the normal plan.

The small print on lifetime validity

You have to recharge the card at least once in six months with a minimum recharge of Rs 100.

[Arun 795]

Lifetime prepaid cards -- what's the catch?

Nazim Khan | February 22, 2006

It's a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Or is it? Cellular operators are trying to woo customers with prepaid schemes that offer a lifetime of validity.

Should you bite? The answer to that will depend on what you want from your mobile phone.

What is lifetime validity?

Lifetime validity essentially means you pay a certain amount -- between Rs 950 and Rs 999 at the moment -- for a prepaid card and you get a mobile connection for life with free incoming calls.

The one-time fee of Rs 900+ includes a small amount of talk time (between Rs 25 and Rs 100). The rest of the fee is the processing cost.

The lifetime validity offer is ideal if you use your mobile phone only to receive calls and don't make too many calls -- or any calls at all.

What's the catch?

The biggest catch is the cost of outgoing calls. Except MTNL's Trump, most operators charge a flat fee of Rs 1.99 per minute for outgoing calls on lifetime validity offers, regardless of whether the call is made to a mobile phone number of the same operator, a mobile phone of a different operator or a landline.

On non-lifetime validity schemes, mobile phone operators offer differential pricing based on who or what number you call. For instance, a call within the operator network could be as cheap as 50 paise per minute.

You can also reduce the cost of your outgoing calls in non-lifetime validity schemes by combining them with other special schemes. For example, Airtel-to-Airtel calls in some schemes cost Re 1 during peak hours, and 25 paise during non-peak hours in certain regions. Hutch subscribers can opt for a scheme that enables them to make calls to other mobile phones at just 99 paise by paying a monthly rental of Rs 25 a month.

You cannot combine these special offers with lifetime validity schemes.

Another downside is that you remain locked into the scheme. If you want to discontinue the connection after, say, three or six months, you will have to forfeit the one-time fee that you paid.

On the plus side, unlike prepaid cards, you don't have to recharge every now and then to keep your connection active. What's more, when you recharge a lifetime validity card, you get full talk time (less taxes).

In contrast, when you recharge or refill other prepaid cards, you have to shell out between 30 to 50 per cent as processing fees. For example, on an Airtel prepaid card of Rs 60, you pay a processing fee of Rs 30 and a service charge of Rs 5.6, which means you get only calls worth Rs 24.4.

Choose wisely

As we said earlier, most lifetime validity schemes are ideal for people who do not make outgoing calls or send many SMSes. It's best for those who are at the receiving end; for the listeners, not the talkers.

If you want both lifetime validity as well as competitive outgoing call rates, schemes offered by MTNL and Reliance appear to be the best bets.

But here's one last point you must keep in mind. Mobile operators get a 20-year licence from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

What happens when the licence period expires?

Will the lifetime scheme be carried forward once the licence is renewed?

Is it really valid for a lifetime?

The TRAI is looking into these issues and is expected to come up with guidelines for such schemes soon. How these schemes will be affected by the guidelines, and what will happen to customers who have already locked into the schemes, only the TRAI and time can tell.

Till then, choose wisely.

[Honest 836]

@arun

Nice information. I appreciate your efforts.

[amitbt22 2]

Can Bsnl Provide lifetime rental free on their post paid landline connection.(I dream for that).

[Arun 795]

No tariff hikes in lifetime schemes: TRAI

- Rediff.com

March 22, 2006 15:22 IST

Keeping the consumer's interest in mind, telecom regulator TRAI Wednesday ordered that telecom companies promising schemes of lifetime validity in mobile connectivity cannot increase tariffs in such schemes during the entire period.

"Hike in tariff is prohibited for any tariff item specified in the lifetime tariff plans during the entire lifelong validity period. In the case of tariff plans other than plans with lifetime validity which have a component of upfront payment, service providers are not allowed to hike tariffs during the promised validity period of such plans", TRAI said in its order.

TRAI had asked the operators who had offered such schemes on what would happen if there was a change in traffic patterns and Interconnect Usage Charge regime and how the consumers would be protected against a hike in tariff.

The Cellular Operator Association of India had urged the regulator to allow operators to hike tariffs in an effort to meet any revision in IUC regime. The regulator has now struck down this request and has put to rest one of the most crucial issues in these plans.

"With a view to protecting the interests of subscribers who make an upfront payment in lieu of certain promised features, including the validity, and also to bring more clarity to the concept of lifetime validity, the Authority considered it necessary to issue orders in this regard.

The order said that in case of tariff plans offered or marketed as having lifetime or unlimited validity in lieu of an upfront payment, subscribers to such plans will continue to get service as long as the service provider is permitted to do so under the current licence or renewed licence.

The service providers who offer such plans will inform the subscribers of the month and year of the expiry of current licence.

And in case of tariff plans other than lifetime validity schemes, subscribers to them will also continue to get service during the entire promised validity period.

The subscriber will have the right to choose any tariff plan at any point of time, TRAI said.