The Telecom Regulatory Authority told mobile service providers to get ready to compensate consumers for call drops, starting January 1. The authority's guidelines say telecom operators will have to compensate consumers Re 1 for every call drop, up to a maximum of three calls a day.

TRAI chairman RS Sharma said it was a valid regulation, that had not been overturned, annulled, modified or cancelled by any authority. TRAI had earlier held a meeting with telecom operators regarding the implementation of the compensation rules and the steps taken to improve providers’ quality of service. Industry bodies such as Cellular Operators Association of India and the Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India said the implementation of the rules might lead to higher call charges.

TRAI will conduct more tests to check call drops in cities including Patna, and Pune. Tests were earlier held in Mumbai and Delhi.