MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued data related to activation, deactivation and complaints of Value Added Services (VAS) w.e.f.1 January 2014 to 30 September 2014.

The regulator has taken several measures to protect the interest of consumers from time to time to prohibit activation of value added services without the explicit consent of consumers. TRAI has also issued directions which prohibit activation of value added services without the explicit consent of the consumers and also prescribed the manner in which the explicit consent is to be obtained.

TRAI has also made it simpler for the customers to deactivate the VAS through a common toll- free number (155223) accessible through SMS or call across all operators. If any value added service is activated without the consent of a consumer, he may request the service provider for deactivation of such service on toll free Number 155223.

Activation of VAS is continuously monitored by TRAI. The details of total Value Added Services activated, deactivated and complaints received during the year 2014 are given as per Annexure-I.

The directions issued on VAS from time to time are also available on the TRAI’s website www.trai.gov.in.