In a bid to keep phone bills in check, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday issued an advisory for the users while joining online conferencing platforms during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
In recent past customers received inflated bills from their telecom operators as they unknowingly dialled up international telephone numbers.
“Considering that a large number of members of public have been using online conferencing platforms due to continued lockdown to check the spread of COVID-19, it is necessary to alert them to check applicable charges for dialling such numbers/helplines of such platforms/app providers,” TRAI said in an advisory.
TRAI issues Advisory to public for exercising due care while joining online conference platforms through audio callshttps://t.co/zNUScerF3L
— TRAI (@TRAI) May 11, 2020
TRAI further alerted of these platforms hosting conferences having international numbers for helpline or customer care. TRAI warned that even calls to these helplines could invite ISD rates, charged by the telecom service providers.
TRAI has warned that people should check the terms and conditions carefully, before using dial-in service provided by online conferencing platforms.
“Thus, all the members of the public are advised to exercise full caution and make themselves aware of the details of terms and conditions of using the online conferencing services particularly nature of numbers to which voice calls have to be made for joining the online conference and/or contacting customer support and details of tariff applicable for each of such services,” TRAI advised.