Airtel, Vodafone-Idea Prepaid Subscribers: Have you received new notifications from Incumbent Telcos?

Have your prepaid accounts provided by Airtel and Vodafone-Idea been suspended due to non-recharge of minimum amounts starting from Rs 35? If yes, you might have some respite as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has apparently taken notice of the issue and written to the incumbent telcos not to resort to deactivating accounts for at least three days from November 28.

However, it remains to be seen if already deactivated prepaid numbers, of Airtel and Vodafone Idea subscribers would witness activation in case users possess balance equivalent to or greater than the monthly minimum recharge amounts prescribed by the incumbent telcos. Earlier, users complained on various forums that Airtel and Vodafone Idea resorted to deactivating prepaid accounts of users not recharging on a monthly basis (28-days). For such users, the operators even sent text messages prescribing minimum recharge tariffs for them to avail and ensure that validity (despite being lifetime) stays intact for a 28-day period.

Now, a Mint report mentions about TRAI having stated to Airtel and Vodafone Idea, not to deactivate users’ prepaid accounts; for users having equivalent to or greater balance than the minimum prescribed recharges which is Rs 30, Rs 35, Rs 65, Rs 95; to obtain validity for 28 days.

Hence, you could let us know if your accounts have been suspended due to non-monthly recharge. As of now, Vodafone Idea came out with a response on this move and stated to MediaNama that it had introduced integrated tariff plans for prepaid subscribes in a bid to improve convenience and customer experience, whilst stating that it would actively assist prepaid subscribers in recharging and even opting out of these plans.

Also, as per TRAI, you should be receiving notifications from Airtel and Vodafone Idea; indicating your validity, current plan subscribed to, and the minimum recharges to be done in case you do not hold sufficient balance in the prepaid account. Till this time, your accounts may not be deactivated (in case you hold the minimum balances).

At this juncture, it is worth noting that TRAI has made it clear that it would not involve in the tariff plans operational processes as these are directly left to telcos.

Do let us know if you have received notifications from Airtel and Vodafone India about the minimum recharges you would need to resort to to keep your prepaid numbers active.

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