Trai proposes cutting USSD charges for mobile banking to zero

Kolkata: The telecom regulator on Wednesday proposed reducing tariffs for USSD-based mobile banking and payment services to zero from 50 paise, in a bid to protect the interest of feature phone users and boost digital financial inclusion.

“The Authority proposes to revise the framework for USSD-based mobile banking and payment services by prescribing a “nil” charge per session as rationalisation is a necessity to protect interests of target user groups and promote digital financial inclusion,” the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) said in its draft Telecommunication Tariff (66th Amendment) order, notified Wednesday.

It, though, said it “may review the charge after two years, based on experience gained”. The regulator has set a December 8 deadline for stakeholder comments on the new draft regulation.