News Broadcasting
Trai mandates 6 months validity period for tariff plans
MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India today notified the 31st amendment to the telecommunication tariff order (TTO) 1999, mandating minimum validity period of six months for tariff plans offered by access providers from the date of enrolment of the subscriber to the tariff plan.
The amendment protects the subscribers from any increase in tariffs during the said six months period and at the same time, the service provider shall be free to reduce tariffs at any time.
The subscribers in the said tariff plan shall be free to choose any other tariff plan, even during the six months period. The service providers are also mandated to accept and implement all such requests for change of plan immediately or from the start of next billing cycle.
The above decisions have been taken by the authority after a consultation process, which focused on the consumer concerns arising out of large number of tariff plans offered by the access providers. These include confusion in the minds of consumers affecting their ability to make informed choice, the frequent and sudden changes/withdrawal of the plans, transparency in charging, migration etc.
The Trai issued a consultation paper “Limiting the number of tariff plans by the Access Providers” on 8 March 2004 discussing the various aspects of the problems and proposing a cap on the number of plans that can be offered at any point of time by the access providers.
In view of the responses received during the consultation process and also in view of the dynamism in the market on account of intense competition, the authority has decided not to change the existing cap of 25 tariff plans on offer. At the same time the authority also felt that there is a need to enhance the level of transparency in provision of service especially in the manner in which the tariffs are offered and implemented.
The authority has, therefore, decided to incorporate the above provisions in the TTO thereby making its compliance mandatory for the access providers. The new provisions would curb the practice of the operators offering new regular tariffs/tariff plans and withdrawing or revising it suddenly, upsetting the basic considerations on which the subscriber has exercised his choice for the tariff.
The new provisions will ensure that the service would be available to the subscriber for the chosen price level at least for a period of six months and also make the migration of the subscribers from one plan to another more transparent and consumer friendly.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
