Robin Hood regulator stops telcos overcharging the poor

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has set a ceiling on processing fees levied on pre-paid vouchers, the Indian Express reports. The TRAI has ruled that processing fees for pre-paid vouchers should not exceed 10% of the value of the coupon, or INR3 (USD0.06), whichever is less. An unnamed government official was quoted as saying: ‘telecom companies were charging the poor more, as a recharge voucher of INR20 attracted a 10% processing fee and a INR100 recharge voucher will attract only a 3% processing fee.’ Prior to the TRAI’s measures, fees on top-ups of INR20 or more were INR3, and INR2 for those under INR20.