TRAI Full Form

The Telecom Regulatory Authority Of India, also known as TRAI, is a setup by the Government Of India Under Section 3 of the TRAI Act 1997.

Function of TRAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is known for TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES. It aims to provide smooth execution of work by telecom industries.  It ensures the quality of service to maintain proper work implementation by telecom service providers.

Origin of TRAI: TRAI came into existence on 20th Feb 1997 to operate telecom service. TRAI's mission and vision are to create a good scope of success in the telecom industry. As per TRAI regulatory system tariffs, DTH, cost of tariffs, number portability, etc. directed TRAI itself.

Chairman Of TRAI: The chairman of TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority Of India) PD Vaghela is an Indian Bureaucrat. He is an IAS officer of the 1986 batch who replaced RS Sharma as chairman of TRAI in 2020.  

Headquarter of TRAI: The headquarters of TRAI is located in New Delhi (Mahanagar Doorsanchar Bhawan Jawaharlal Nehru Marg).

Advantages of TRAI 

• Ensures smooth execution of work by service providers.

• Maintain hassle-free services.

• Provides quality of services.

• Consumer grievances are also handled and reviewed to ensure quick response and solutions to customers by service providers.

• Fixing of tariffs and rate of telecom services decided by TRAI.

Departments of TRAI: Presently Employees of TRAI are Divided into Nine Divisions -

• Mobile network division

• Broadcast and cable service division

• Converged network division

• Fixed network division

• Quality of service division

• Economic division

• Financial analysis and internal finance and accounts division

• Legal division

• Administration and personnel division

The New Rule of TRAI:  As per the new rule, TRAI has confirmed DTH and TV regulation has reduced the price of NCF (Network Capacity Fee) that allows service operators to provide discounts for long-term plans. A reduction in NCF will definitely help consumers. Here is the good part! 200 channels have been made compulsory by the Ministry of Information and broadcasting. Broadcasters can only consist of channels less than Rs 12. Consumers need to select those channels separately which are more than Rs 12. According to the new rule of NCF, Rs 130 will be charged and consumers will be advantageous to get 200 channels now.  

What is NCF? 

NCF is a network connection fee i.e. 130+ GST. The customer needs to pay per month to keep the connection active. With all this new modification by NCF, consumers will be getting 200 channels mandatory with the amount of 130 plus taxes. 

Why was the TRAI Formed? 

TRAI was formed in 1997 under the TRAI act to build up the Telecom Authority of India and Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal. Its main objective of formation is to operate telecommunication services, settlement of disputes, maintain a good reputation between consumers and service providers. Basically, TRAI works as a pillar for consumers and service providers.  Here I mentioned TDSAT. You must be thinking about what it is ? in my description below will enlighten more on it. 

What is TDSAT?

TDSAT stands for Telecommunications Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal was formed for the settlement of disputes in terms of protecting the interest of service providers and customers for future success and growth in the telecom industry. The formation of TDSAT includes one and two members. The Chairperson should have been a Judge of the Supreme court or a Chief Justice of High Court and Members of TDSAT should hold the post of Secretary to the Government of India or any equivalent degree to the central government or State government of India with not less than 2 yrs of experience in technology, telecommunication, commerce, and administration. 

Chairman of TDSAT

The chairperson of TDSAT is Justice Shiva Kirti Singh. He did a bachelor of laws. Previously he was a part of the Allahabad High Court.

Process of Registering complaint on TRAI:- As per telecom consumer protection and redressal of grievances regulation 2007. Firstly customers need to take help through a toll-free number of call centers. Post registering a complaint a docket number will be provided by the customer care executive which confirms the complaint is now registered and has been escalated for redressal. I will be providing more information on telecom consumer protection in the redressal of grievances regulation 2007.

What are Telecom Protection and Redressal of Grievances Regulation 2007?

The purpose of this regulation is to set up licensed call centers as per this act. Basically, this acts as customer protection and redressal of grievances. According to this act service providers need to deploy sufficient employees at the call centers as they can meet consumers' query time to time and escalate to redressal. Every call center must be accessible to customers between 08.00 hours to 24 hours on all days, even though the customer care number should be toll-free so that consumers can access it hassle-free.  

TRAI and its History (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India)

It is an act that was passed in the Indian Parliament establishing the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on February 20, 1997, to oversee and manage the telecom services and rates in India. Before this, the telecom services and rates were regulated by the Central Government of India. 

The aim of the Telecommunications Research and Development Authority of India (TRAI) is to establish and nurture circumstances for the growth of telecommunications in India so that the country plays a vital role in leading the growing global information society. 

One of its major goals is to create and form a fair and transparent environment that takes the initiative of encouraging a level playing field and allows for fair market competition. On a regular basis, TRAI releases orders and directives on various topics, which include rates, interconnections, DTH services, quality of service, and mobile number portability.

In January 2016, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) made a significant reform in the telecommunications industry that would benefit all consumers. Consumers will be paid for missed calls beginning January 1, 2016. However, there is a catch: according to the rule, mobile customers will receive a Re 1 compensation for each missed call, but this will be limited to a maximum of three missed calls each day. This regulation was overturned by the Supreme Court because it was "irrational, capricious, and unconstitutional."

Conclusion

This is all about TRAI, its full form, its meaning, and reason for establishment. Understand the functions and designations of the members of this authority of the Government of India and its functions to protect the best interest of the telecom service providers and consumers.