Making conference calls? Trai has an important 'billing message' for you
NEW DELHI: If you are joining an international conference call where you need to dial-in or if you are calling an international helpline number, note that telecom operators will charge ISD rates for the same. Telecom regular Trai has advised the public to carefully check the terms and conditions before using any dial-in service.
“It has been brought to the notice of TRAI that few consumers have experienced bill shocks when they joined online conferencing platforms inadvertently dialing international telephone numbers. Considering that a large number of members of public have been using online conferencing platforms due to continued lockdown to check spread of Covid 19, it is necessary to alert them to check applicable charges for dialing such numbers/ helplines of such platform/ App providers,” said Trai in its advisory.
However, note that this advisory is only meant for dial-in services which use cellular connection for conferencing calls. These ISD charges don’t apply to international voice calls made over video-conferencing apps like Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom etc. Yes you do have to pay for data used while making/receiving these calls.
“Incidences have also come to the knowledge where the customer care centres of some of such service providers are either premium numbers or international numbers. Obviously, the public who use such services inadvertently may have to pay higher rates applicable to premium numbers or international numbers which would imply application of ISD tariffs,” Trai advisory adds.
If you are using any dial-in service be very sure about call charges, especially if you are a postpaid user. Trai also warned users about calling international helpline numbers .
“The members of public are advised to carefully check the terms and conditions before using dial-in service provided by online conferencing platforms and cost applicable for contacting the customer care center of such platform in terms of tariff for voice calls and other charges as may be applied by the service providers. Any inadvertent lapse in this regard may result in significant bills causing bill shocks,” it said.
“It has been brought to the notice of TRAI that few consumers have experienced bill shocks when they joined online conferencing platforms inadvertently dialing international telephone numbers. Considering that a large number of members of public have been using online conferencing platforms due to continued lockdown to check spread of Covid 19, it is necessary to alert them to check applicable charges for dialing such numbers/ helplines of such platform/ App providers,” said Trai in its advisory.
However, note that this advisory is only meant for dial-in services which use cellular connection for conferencing calls. These ISD charges don’t apply to international voice calls made over video-conferencing apps like Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom etc. Yes you do have to pay for data used while making/receiving these calls.
“Incidences have also come to the knowledge where the customer care centres of some of such service providers are either premium numbers or international numbers. Obviously, the public who use such services inadvertently may have to pay higher rates applicable to premium numbers or international numbers which would imply application of ISD tariffs,” Trai advisory adds.
If you are using any dial-in service be very sure about call charges, especially if you are a postpaid user. Trai also warned users about calling international helpline numbers .
“The members of public are advised to carefully check the terms and conditions before using dial-in service provided by online conferencing platforms and cost applicable for contacting the customer care center of such platform in terms of tariff for voice calls and other charges as may be applied by the service providers. Any inadvertent lapse in this regard may result in significant bills causing bill shocks,” it said.
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