New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) The Telecom Authority of India (TRAI) today directed the country's telecom companies offering wire-line services to refund charges recovered from the consumers on account of rectifying defects in network and visiting charges.

''The terms and conditions of the licenses impose an obligation to provide un-interrupted two way speech and ensure continuity of service to its customer,'' said TRAI in a statement.

Rectifying interruptions are matters relating to service and quality of such services and customers cannot be charged to rectify such interruptions, the statement added.

Moreover, the authority said, the customer does not choose the quality of material being used in the network by the company and is not responsible for the bad workmanship in the cable, dropwire etc.

The authority had examined the tariff reports submitted by Bharti Airtel Ltd proposing additional charges for rectification of defects.

It held that such tariff packages are anti-consumer and cannot be permitted.

The service providers have been given one week time to report compliance and the authority is in the process of issuing of separate general guidelines to all the service providers on this.

UNI