Airtel asks TRAI to issue fresh paper on non-predatory tariff

Bharti Airtel has asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India(TRAI) to issue fresh consultation paper before framing guidelines to ensure transparent, non-discriminatory and non-predatory tariff offers.

The Telecom Disputes and Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) asked TRAI to work out guidelines for telcos to perform self-checks for ascertaining consistency with the principles of Interconnection Usage Charge (IUC) compliance and non-predation.

Bharti Airtel wrote in a February 8 letter to TRAI chairman RS Sharma, “We request the TRAI to initiate a fresh consultation paper and seek inputs and hold an open house discussion on the same before finalizing and issuing any guideline.”

The company added, "The issues and pricing norms with respect to which TDSAT had directed TRAI to issue necessary guidelines had neither been dealt with in any past consultation paper nor had the same been discussed in an open house discussion. These issues were “extremely critical” for the sector and had a significant impact on consumers."

The guidelines are expected to put an end to the controversy that started after Reliance Jio launched itself with a ‘welcome offer’ giving free voice and data to its subscribers for three months. It later extended the free offer till months till March 31, 2017, naming it ‘Happy New Year’ offer.