Telecom operators ask TRAI to reduce service data message tariffs as against keeping them free for users

TRAI had earlier released a proposal suggesting rationalisation of USSD messages from 50 paise to zero rupees for all mobile customers to encourage digital payments in the country.

Private telecom operators Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Jio have urged the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to introduce a graded reduction in Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) messages that appear as pop-up messages without getting stored in the inbox. The private telcos noted that reducing the charge of USSD messages to zero will increase the burden on the telecom sector.