TRAI decides no charges to be levied for SMS and Cell Broadcast Alerts

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has decided that no charges will be levied for SMS and Cell Broadcast – Alerts or messages sent either during disaster or prior to notification of disaster or after expiry of disaster.

TRAI took the decision considering the significance of alerts and messages sent as per direction issued under the Disaster Management Act.

The Authority said this while issuing the Telecom Tariff order 2022 on Tariff for SMS and Cell Broadcast alerts disseminated through Common Alerting Protocol platform during disaster or non-disaster situations. It said, Telecom Service Providers shall broadcast messages to all the subscribers through Cell broadcast free of cost during disaster and non-disaster period.

The Authority has also decided to prescribe Tariff of two paisa for SMS Alerts and messages sent during disaster and non-disaster situations, other than those sent as per directions issued under the Disaster Management Act. Earlier, the Department of Telecom has requested TRAI to provide tariff for SMS and Cell Broadcast alerts to be disseminated during disasters and non-disasters. NewsOnAir