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‘Explicit consent’ a must for premium cellphone services: Trai
MUMBAI: The days of cell phone companies foisting value added services “surreptitiously” on consumers could soon be over. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) today directed all mobile operators not to deliver allot chargeable value added services to consumers without their “explicit consent”.
“Any value added service, which was earlier being provided free of charge, shall not be made chargeable without the explicit consent of the customer,” the directive states.
Additionally, providers are required to “publish in all communications / advertisements relating to premium rate services, the pulse rate/ tariff for the service” they offer.
Explaining the reasoning behind the directive, a Trai release issued today states, “The Authority has observed that in the last few months, a number of operators and also some independent agencies are increasingly providing value added services like quiz, ringtones, televoting etc. through SMS. In most of these cases, the charges for theses services are more than the normal published tariffs. The customers are informed about these value added premium rate services through SMS, advertisements in newspaper or television. But in this communication, the cost implication of the service is not intimated. Sometimes the messages are only followed by wordings ‘T&C apply’. This practice of service providers works against the interest of consumers.”
The order is particularly relevant to television companies that have SMS as a key element of their shows that have high levels of interactivity. A recent example is that of Sony Entertainment Television’s super successful reality-based musical talent hunt Indian Idol. All SMS “televotes” were charged at Rs 3 as against the normal tariff of Re 1.
And these are no small numbers that we’re talking about. In two-and-half months, Rs 300 million in revenues is what Indian Idol reportedly generated just from mobile phone companies. Calculating a 75:25 revenue share in favour of Sony that’s Rs 225 million that would have been raised through the mobile telephony platform.
The Trai order would also impact Star India, which has plans to raise interactivity (and the revenues that flow from it) to new heights for its 2005 blockbuster Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) II.
Of course, a point that needs mentioning here is that in the case of “high-involvement” shows like Idol and KBC, viewers are unlikely to have any qualms about paying premium rates for the SMSs they send in. Therefore it is just a matter of clearly informing them of the fact.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
