Airtel moves tribunal on Jio delay in withdrawing ‘Summer’ offer
Bharti Airtel has filed an application in telecom tribunal TDSAT, objecting to the alleged delays by Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio while withdrawing its three-month complimentary offer as was directed by the Telecom Ragulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
The interim application by Airtel pertains to the Summer Surprise offer of Reliance Jio under which it was giving free data and voice under its ₹303 plan.
Airtel has also objected to the continuation of scheme’s benefits for those who had already subscribed to the said offer before it was withdrawn.
When contacted, Bharti Airtel declined to comment.
The matter was heard briefly on Thursday in the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). The next hearing will be on April 20, along with a main petition, in which Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular have challenged a TRAI order, which allowed free 4G service offers of Jio beyond the stipulated 90 days.
On April 6, TRAI had asked Jio to withdraw its contentious three-month ‘complimentary’ offer of unlimited data usage and free calls on payment of a minimum ₹303, saying it was not in accordance with the regulatory framework.
The regulator had said that Jio will be required to roll back the three-month complimentary offer in the “shortest possible time”, but clarified that customers who had already subscribed to the said scheme could avail the benefits till June-end.
Soon after, Vodafone approached TRAI, alleging that Jio was inviting last-minute subscriptions to its ‘Summer Surprise’ offer despite the regulator finding it in violation of regulations.
Jio, on April 11, unveiled a new plan of 1GB 4G data daily for three months at ₹309 for its Prime members, but Airtel had dubbed it as being a case of “old wine in a new bottle”.
The same day, Jio said it has “fully withdrawn” the Summer Surprise offer following the advice of the telecom regulator.
ON APRIL 11, JIO UNVEILED A NEW PLAN OF 1GB 4G DATA DAILY FOR THREE MONTHS AT ₹309 FOR ITS
PRIME MEMBERS