no stay on jio free offer; telecom tribunal asks trai to re-examine issue
TRANSCRIPT
No stay on Jio free offer; telecom tribunal asks
Trai to re-examine issue
The telecom tribunal on Thursday did not stay Reliance Jio's free promotional
offer but asked regulator Trai to "re-examine" issues relating to the approval
granted to the operator to continue with the freebies.
The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT), in its order on
Thursday, asked Trai to apprise it of the "outcome and findings of the
examination" within two weeks.
TDSAT last week had reserved the order on an interim appeal seeking a stay on
Reliance Jio's free offer after hearing all the parties concerned, including Trai,
incumbent operators Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular, and newcomer Jio.
In its interim appeal, Airtel had sought a stay on Trai's approval to Jio to continue
with the free services. It had also sought a direction to the regulator to produce
all the records related to its decision.
The appeal also sought to restrain Jio from providing its consumers with the zero
tariff plan and promotional plans.
Jio had launched the inaugural free voice and data plan in September last year,
and in December, extended the freebies till March 31, 2017.
Following this, the existing players such as Airtel and Idea moved the telecom
tribunal against Trai for letting the new operator continue the free promotional
offer beyond the stipulated 90 days.
The operators criticised the regulator for being a "mute spectator" to the alleged
violations.
On January 31, Trai had held that Jio's free voice calling and data plan was not a
violation of the regulatory guidelines.
Trai had further said its examination had revealed that the 'Happy New Year
Offer' launched by Jio on December 4, 2016, is distinct from its earlier Jio
Welcome Offer and could not be treated as an extension of the promotional offer
as the benefits under both differed.
Recently, Jio announced that it will start charging for its mobile services from April
1.
Last month, Jio said its existing subscribers and new customers who come on
board by March 31 can continue to enjoy unlimited benefits of its Happy New
Year Offer for one more year (till March 31, 2018) by paying a one-time fee of Rs
99 and thereafter Rs 303 a month.
Article By – Business Standard