'Mobile connections with at least Rs. 20 balance cannot be deactivated'

Telecom regulator TRAI Friday said inactive mobile connections of pre-paid customers cannot be deactivated if they have a minimum balance of Rs. 20 in their account and the time period for considering 'inactive' has been set at 90 days.

Announcing an amendment to a regulation for protecting consumers, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said "There shall be no deactivation if the balance in pre-paid consumer account is Rs. 20 or more."

"The mobile connections of prepaid consumers shall not be deactivated for any period of non-usage less than 90 days," TRAI said.

As per amended regulations, telecom operator will have to provide facility to pre-paid to reactivate numbers by paying reasonable amount.

"A consumer whose connection is deactivated shall be given a grace period of 15 days within which he can reactivate the same number," TRAI added.