MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has issued directives to Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) for the withdrawal of the advertisement of Garuda-FW Service which is 'Landline bhi-Mobile bhi-Jahan Aap Wahan'. The authority seems to think that the reference made to MTNL's Garuda-FW Service as 'Landline bhi-Mobile bhi-Jahan Aap Wahan' conveys a false impression to potential customers that the service provided is similar to mobile service when actually the service being offered is fixed wireless service.
The Interconnect usage charges and access deficit charge regime provides different treatment for calls made from a mobile phone and fixed services including wireless fixed.
The authority has exercised its powers under Section 13 read with Section 11(1)(b) of the TRAI Act 1997 and has issued directives to MTNL to immediately stop referring to fixed wireless services as 'Landline bhi-Mobile bhi-Jahan Aap Wahan' and withdraw from the market all promotional materials including banners, brochures information sheets.
MTNL has been further directed to file a compliance report in this regard with the authority latest by 19 January.