REGULATORY · INDIA
TRAI amends tariff and accounting-separation reporting rules
Change
TRAI notified amendments to the Telecommunication Tariffs Order and the Reporting System on Accounting Separation Regulations imposing tighter reporting requirements and graded penalties for telcos.
Why it matters
TRAI amended the Telecommunication Tariffs Order and the Reporting System on Accounting Separation Regulations to tighten reporting and penalties. Telcos must report new offers or pricing changes within seven days of implementation. Operators must submit disaggregated financial and non-financial data segmented by Licensed Service Area, specific services and individual products. Penalties are ₹10,000 per day for the first seven days of delay, ₹20,000 per day thereafter up to a ₹5 lakh cap, and unpaid penalties incur interest at 2% above prevailing market rates.
Implications
- · Increased disclosure burden from segmented data reporting by LSA, service and product.
- · Changes operating costs or landed pricing for affected operators
- · Potential cash outflow and carrying-cost exposure from interest charged at 2% above market rates on unpaid fines.
- · Need for enhanced compliance and billing systems to capture and submit timely, disaggregated tariff and financial data.
Who is affected
- · Operators
- · Compliance teams
- · Corporate boards
Source
Topics
World & Politics Policy & Regulation Law & Public Safety Regulatory Actions Compliance