The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has written to the telecom companies seeking uninterrupted telecom services to all prepaid users on a priority basis during the period of the coronavirus-induced 21-day lockdown, which will be in effect until April 14.

It has highlighted that prepaid subscribers may face hardship and disruption as customer service centres and point of sale may have been adversely affected due to the lockdown across India.

The telecom companies have been asked to take necessary steps as they deem fit, including an extension of validity of period for prepaid users, as subscribers who wish to top up or extend the subscription to a prepaid tariff using offline channels may face issues.

“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. 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" TRAI told telecom companies in an e-mail.

TRAI has also sought details from telecom companies on steps taken to ensure the availability of uninterrupted telecom services to prepaid customers on a priority basis.

The Union government issued orders prescribing lockdown in the country for a period of 21 days with effect from March 25 to deal with the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Telecommunication services have been considered as essential services and thus granted an exception from the lockdown.

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First Published:Mar 30, 2020 10:52 AM IST