TRAI has finally responded to the multitude of complaints from the subscribers of Reliance Communications Limited regarding the refunds. According to the directive, TRAI has asked them to refund the unspent balance of prepaid and security deposits of postpaid subscribers. The refunds have to be processed by following means based on the status of the subscribers.
The RCom recently shut down their 2G, GSM, CDMA and voice services in licensed areas following heavy losses in consecutive quarters. However, the closure was so premature that many of the subscribers were forced to port out or lose their mobile number and hence the balance or security deposits.
Prepaid Subscribers
In normal cases, a subscriber has to utilize the balance before porting out. But the early closure didn’t allow the prepaid subscribers to make use of the remaining balance. Regarding the status of the prepaid users, three refund methods have been suggested to RCom by TRAI
- Refund of unspent balance to prepaid subscribers ported out:
RCom has be directed to prepare the list of subscribers ported out based on the recipient operator. They should then transfer the unspent balance to the recipient operator along with the list. The recipient operator shall then credit the refund amount to the subscribers and intimate it via SMS.
- Refund of unspent balance to prepaid subscribers not ported out:
TRAI has asked RCom to collect the bank details along with IFSC code of these subscribers and refund the amount electronically. These refunds should be processed by 15 February 2018 after verifying the Proof of Identity and Proof of Address submitted by the subscribers.
- Refund of unspent balance to prepaid subscribers who neither ported out nor submitted the bank information or claim for refund:
RCom is asked by TRAI to refund all the subscribers who were having balances of rupees ten and above. These refunds shall be processed by means of a crossed cheque to the subscribers postal address.
Postpaid Subscribers
The postpaid users usually have to pay a one time security deposit at the time of taking the connection. Most of the RCom postpaid subscribers haven’t received the refund of these security deposits. So TRAI has directed RCom to refund the security deposits of postpaid subscribers within the prescribed time frame.
The above directives were issued by TRAI on 19 January 2018. Subscribers are requested to contact Shri Syed Tausif Abbas, Advisor (Network Spectrum & Licensing), TRAI for any clarifications. Following are his contact details – advmn[at]trai.gov.in or Telephone Number +91-11-23210481. Hope the article was informative, Peace!