TDSAT asks TRAI to clarify on RJio’s offers

Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) on Monday has asked Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to submit a copy of Reliance Jio’s ‘Welcome Offer’ and ‘Happy New Year Offer’ by February 23. The next hearing of the matter is on February 28.

The TDSAT bench, comprising members Bipin Bihari Srivastava and AK Bhargava, asked the TRAI representative to explain “what does it (RJio) mean by ‘promotional offer’ and if that is there, is it permissible? Is it a plan, a voucher or a combo offer”?

“You need to explain things …please correct yourself and if there is something called ‘promotional offer’, whether it is part of Telecom Consumers Protection Regulations 2012 (TCPR) or not, please explain,” the Bench told the TRAI representative.

According to the Telecommunication Tariff Order (TTO), TCPR 2012, directions and advisories were made to enhance transparency in provision of telecom services.

Some of the directions and advisors include cap on tariff plans on offer – so that too many tariff plans on offer do not confuse the consumer and make it difficult for consumers to make an informed choice.

Meanwhile, the Bench also asked whether TRAI was informed (by RJio) or not on these offers and also whether RJio had informed its subscribers. TDSAT on February 6 had asked the regulator to clarify whether RJio had informed it and its subscribers of the two free offers being ‘distinct’.

Bharti Airtel in its appeal had termed TRAI’s January 31 order as ‘wholly illegal’ and ‘palpably wrong’ and accused the regulator of ‘wrongly’ holding Jio’s promotional offer as compliant with the regulatory guidelines, distinct and hence not an extension of the previous offer.

Idea Cellular also approached the TDSAT against TRAI allowing RJio to continue its free promotional offers beyond the stipulated 90 days.

While, Harish Kaushik represented Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular was represented by Bharucha & Partners and TRAI was represented by Kirtiman Singh.

Launched in September last year, RJio has touched 10 crore subscribers by this month.