In order to help the customers, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked telecom operators to increase the validity of all prepaid plans so that users can get all benefits without worrying about the recharge during the 21-day nationwide lockdown.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has also sought details of the steps being taken to ensure the availability of uninterrupted telecom services to such customers on a “priority basis”.
“…you are required to take necessary steps as deemed fit including extending the validity period to ensure that all prepaid subscribers can enjoy uninterrupted services during the period of lockdown,” TRAI said in a communication to all operators on Sunday.
The communication on “measures regarding ensuring the availability of recharge vouchers and payment options for prepaid services” comes in the backdrop of 21-day lockdown imposed in the country to deal with the outbreak and spread of coronavirus pandemic.
“Though the telecommunication services have been considered as essential services and thus granted an exception from closing down. However, lockdown may adversely affect the working of customer service centers/point of sale locations,” TRAI said.
TRAI added: “Under the circumstances, it is quite possible that those subscribers who wish to top up their prepaid balances or wish to extend the subscription to a prepaid tariff using offline channels may face hardships and/or disruption of services”.
The regulator said that all shops are closed due to the lockdown and if anyone wants to recharge their number via offline mode, and then there will be a problem for them. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently announced a lockdown until April 15 due to Coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Reliance Jio has announced that its numbers can be recharged from 90,000 ATMs. The company has announced via its Twitter account. The tweet reads: “Recharge your Jio number at your nearest ATM.” The telco has partnered with nine banks such as HDFC Bank, State Bank of India, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, Citi Bank, DCB Bank, AUF Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank. The telco also said that customers have to check the recharge options, before recharging the number. Then, they have to write the exact recharge amount. Apart from that, the company has launched a new plan for its broadband customers, where it is offering 100GB data at 10Mbps speed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24, announced a complete lockdown of the entire country for 21 days in an unprecedented move to try to halt the spread of the pandemic, shortly after which the Centre said road, rail, and air services will remain suspended during this period.
The pandemic has claimed 29 lives in the country and the number of COVID-19 cases has touched 1,071 in India.
Also read: Top Work From Home Prepaid Plans By Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea
