Jio urges Trai to take steps against Airtel for misrepresenting its ‘free’ facts

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) in the wake of too many complaints coming against Jio’s promotional offers is planning to review tariff orders to build a new framework in the industry.

With too many promotional strategies adopted by Mukesh Ambani owned Reliance Jio, the telecom market has been totally disrupted over last few months. Market leaders including Airtel and Vodafone have noticed migration from the customers. With mobile number portability made easy, customers started opting for Reliance Jio because of a tonnes of freebies including calls and data.

The consultation paper issued by Trai aims to deal with transparency, promotional offers, disclosures and non-discrimination, adherence to the principle of non-predatory pricing, and assessment of dominant position.

India’s leading telecom operator Bharti Airtel had moved the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) calling Jio’s offers of free calls till March this year predatory in business nature. However Jio, in return, has Trai to “impose the highest penalty on Airtel”, accusing the market leader of “misrepresenting the benefits” of its free unlimited calls and free data plans.