A telecom consumers’ body has sought removal of 6 paise interconnection usage charge (IUC) from January 1 next year as it deprives weaker sections of the society of new age services and better experience.
Trai had proposed to move from the current IUC regime to the BAK (bill and keep) regime where no operator will charge for mobile call transmission, from January 1, 2020.
However, the regulator recently floated a consultation paper on whether there is a need to defer the date of removing mobile call termination charge.
The Telecom User Group (TUG) in it submission to regulator Trai has requested to move to BAK regime from January 1.
“Existing IUC regime will add to the digital divide where the weaker sections of the society will not benefit from newer technologies. Industry estimates suggest users are paying over Rs 200 on account of IUC annually.
“Consumers could spend the same money for new services that will come through technology upgrades and innovations,” Anil Prakash, President, TUG India said.
The TUG said continuation of IUC framework will delay the process of modernisation of networks.
