TRAI on customer consent for mobile VAS

Hmmm....

Interesting news. TRAI has asked Telcos to take explicit consent of customers before activating VAS features like RingBack Tones etc.

Wonder if we have stats on the number of customers who had RBT activated accidentally. The charm of quick provisioning goes away but the customer dissatisfaction due to accidental activation (and hence charge) goes away as well with this.

I will try to check if there is anything that other countries have in this regard.

Here is the ET piece on this one...
TRAI asks Telcos to take consent

Mobile Payments - Consumers not very confident

Here is my ... "I said so" moment. I had mentioned in my earlier blog "Mobile Money Transfers" about the threats in this use of technology.

Now, Reuters reports that US customers are wary of mobile payments because of security concerns.

So then, it is essential that,

1. Put safeguards in place. The Govt. bodies need to do that (as mentioned earlier - both - Banking and Telecom)

2. Test rigorously.

3. Educate people on safeguards and on preventive measures they should take to avoid fraud.

Regards,
Sid

Check this link:
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE53764H20090408?feedType=nl&feedName=ustechnology