Telecom stocks edge lower as Trai`s pesky call norms have prescribed substantially increased penalties for telcos
Telecom stocks are trading lower after Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) has expressed concerns that the Trai's new norms to tackle spam calls and messages have prescribed substantially increased penalties for telcos.
Vodafone Idea is currently trading at Rs. 8.01, down by 0.26 points or 3.14% from its previous closing of Rs. 8.27 on the BSE. The scrip opened at Rs. 8.28 and has touched a high and low of Rs. 8.35 and Rs. 7.97 respectively. So far 17547742 shares were traded on the counter.
Bharti Airtel is currently trading at Rs. 1669.90, down by 5.65 points or 0.34% from its previous closing of Rs. 1675.55 on the BSE. The scrip opened at Rs. 1690.50 and has touched a high and low of Rs. 1695.00 and Rs. 1656.15 respectively. So far 617742 shares were traded on the counter.
Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) is currently trading at Rs. 61.33, down by 2.43 points or 3.81% from its previous closing of Rs. 63.76 on the BSE. The scrip opened at Rs. 64.99 and has touched a high and low of Rs. 65.25 and Rs. 61.20 respectively. So far 357947 shares were traded on the counter.
Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) has expressed concerns that the Trai's new norms to tackle spam calls and messages have prescribed substantially increased penalties for telcos, and rued the absence of any regulation for OTT Communication Services that, the industry body pointed out, has seen an influx of spam. While raising concerns about increased penalty it said COAI had submitted that Financial Disincentives (FDs) on Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), in being only intermediary this process, do not serve any purpose and have failed to address the issue in Trai's all attempts to curb UCC (Unsolicited Commercial Communication).
Instead, if at all these penalties are required, it should be directed to TM-D or the principal entities who are actual originators and beneficiaries of the commercial communications. It has expressed disappointment over Trai's amendment of the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018 to strengthen consumer protection against Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC), has been issued without addressing all relevant issues.
