The epic battle of Indian Telecom Industry between Reliance Jio and all other Telecom companies is only getting more and more intensified everyday. The inception of Reliance Jio in the Indian Telecom Market has caused a severe drop in the profits of leading telecom companies like Idea Cellular, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone. All the companies have tried their best to tackle the potent threat Jio has created for them. From blocking out Jio’s calls on their network to providing services at much lower costs, Vodafone, Idea and Airtel have had a go at almost every option available for them but have still not managed to find an effective answer for Reliance Jio.
Vodafone India has now knocked on the doors of Delhi High Court to seek some help in this lopsided battle. They have alleged that TRAI had failed to prohibit Reliance Jio from violating all the tariff orders, directions and regulations set forth for every Telecom company. By allowing Reliance Jio to continue with its free offers, TRAI has also failed to implement Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) circulars. As per the circulars, all tariffs must be compliant of inter-connection usage charges (IUC), and should remain non-discriminatory and non-predatory.
TRAI had already received a handful of notices for Reliance Jio’s free policies on the basis of complaints lodged by Bharti Airtel. Airtel, pointing out similar violations, had submitted an additional affidavit with the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). They are the ones who have been facing the most serious losses because of Reliance Jio. This Complaint From Vodafone will only help Airtel in their battle against Jio.
The case will be looked after by Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva who has listed the case to be heard on first of February. Reliance Jio were not supposed to be a party In the matter but any decision the Court gives out would have affected the company and Reliance Jio would have had to accept the verdict. However, on the basis of an oral plea by Vodafone, Reliance Jio was Included as a party in the case.
If Vodafone wins this case, it will be an end for the free services offered by Reliance Jio to woo customers. So let us just sit back and wait for the Court to decide on the matter on the date decided, The first of February!