Chennai: The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Chennai (North), has directed a leading mobile phone service provider to pay compensation of Rs 55,000 to an advocate for disconnecting service to his mobile phone abruptly.
In his petition, advocate S. Jayakumar said Aircel Cellular Limited offered him a scheme ‘Aircel Century Bonanza’ and billing was made from 15th of every month. He opted for unlimited internet package for Rs 98. The credit limit for the connection was fixed at Rs 3,800.
On October 16, 2012 Aircel sent an SMS asking him to pay Rs 2,926 for the billing period September 15 to October 14, 2012. The internet scheme was converted into Rs 128 package for using 3G connection and credit limit lowered to Rs 2,076. The service was disconnected on October 17, 2012.
In its reply, Aircel submitted that he requested to activate 3G Top up for '128 on September 25, 2012 in-between the bill cycle. Hence, he has been charged under the prorate basis in the bill dated October 15, 2012, as the customer used over and above prescribed limit MB data and as there was excessive usage by the petitioner before the billing plan change, this was resulted in billing of an amount of Rs 2,926 on the petitioner.
The credit limit is revised regularly based on usage of customer by operator. His credit limit was lowered as his billing was low. Aircel said it had not committed any deficiency and sought dismissal of the petition.
The bench comprising its president K. Jayabalan and member T. Kalaiyarasi said Aircel changed the plan without the knowledge of the petitioner and reduced the credit limit. It also cancelled the connection within the payment due date. Hence, it committed deficiency in service.
