Telenor and Ufone to Charge Balance Inquiries – To provide (better) Services

Do you remember that Mobilink used the same dialogue (back in August 2007) “In order to provide better services, we will charge your call center calls”, which was followed by everyone.

This time its Telenor, that is displaying following message on its website

In order to provide better services to our valued subscribers, each balance inquiry via *444# (Rupee Account Balance), *111# (Free SMS Balance) and *222# (Free Minutes Balance) strings will be charged 10 paisa (exclusive of tax), with effect from 1st Aug 09

Technically, PTA can’t question cellular companies for imposing such service charges. Reason is that they are providing services, and they can charge whatever they feel like (unless it’s not SMP, i.e. Mobilink), but its subscribers who can ask them anything. Here i am asking these two questions

1. So Telenor is not offering better services before this service charges imposition? Sort of confession?
2. What betterment Telenor can bring for balance inquiries? like they gonna send periodical alerts or what?

You can ask your questions, or share your answers to my questions in comments

Update: Ufone is quick enough to impose the same amount of service charges on balance inquiries.

Update: Responses from customers, and involvement of PTA made both the companies re-consider their decision of imposing service charges on balance inquiries. For time being, both Ufone and Telenor has withdrawn charges for balance inquiries.