Reliance Jio’s disruptive entry into the Indian telecom market was perceived as the biggest change in the industry in years, but it looks like there are some tough times ahead. After Airtel warning to Government with regard to Jio’s Free Offers, now, Vodafone India has moved Delhi High Court alleging that telecom regulator Trai had failed to prohibit “blatant violation” of its tariff orders, directions and regulations by Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (RJio) by permitting it to continue with its free offers.
Vodafone has claimed that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has also failed to implement Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) circulars which lay down that all tariffs must be compliant of interconnection usage charges (IUC), non-discriminatory and non-predatory.
Will Reliance Jio’s Free Offers Be Sealed On February 1?
This matter has been taken up by Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva saying that if the court passes this order, it will affect the new telecom company. A voice made by Vodafone India became Reliance Jio as a respective party. Vodafone India alleged the telecom regulator TRAI for failing to prevent RJIO’s extended free services despite its violations. The second largest telco in the country filed the petition in the Delhi High Court and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva has set the hearing date for February 1, 2017.
When did it start?
Reliance Jio started its free services in September, which was to end on December 31, 2016. But the telco made a surprise announcement of extended the free services till March 31, 2017, by making some tweaks to the original “Welcome Offer” and launching the new scheme as “Happy New Year” offer.
“That the free ie zero tariff plan/promotional offer of said Operator (Jio) with no charges at all for services, is ipso facto non-compliant with the ‘floor’ as stipulated by Trai in its own tariff orders, is IUC non-compliant, predatory and discriminatory and thus violates the Trai’s tariff orders and regulations.