Vodafone files complaint with TRAI claiming RJio is 'still' luring customers

The raging competition in the Indian telecom sector is simply refusing to subdue.

Though Reliance Jio has already announced that the Summer Surprise Offer has been withdrawn, Vodafone has filed a complain with TRAI saying that Jio is still “luring customers” to subscribe the offer.

Vodafone said, “Reliance Jio is continuing with this offer held as not meeting regulatory norms, in the garb of configuration changes. For past three days, it has been promoting and luring customers to quickly recharge to avail the benefits of a non-compliant offer and also asking its retailers to communicate the same.”

The letter also reads that Reliance Jio is sending SMSes to consumers and retailers asking them to recharge to avail the benefit of the scheme before 10 April.

"...we request for TRAI's immediate intervention and issuance of suitable directions to Jio for withdrawing the said offer on an immediate basis and notifying the consumers about the withdrawal of said offer from the date of advisory received from TRAI," Vodafone said.

However, Reliance Jio brushed off the allegation and said that the complaint emanates from "continued and deliberate attempts by competitors to create unnecessary confusion in the market."

Reliance Jio spokesperson said the company made it clear on 6 April that the ‘Summer Surprise’ offer will be withdrawn as soon as it is operationally feasible, in compliance with the regulator’s advice.

TRAI asked Reliance Jio on 6 April to stop the offer as it was not in compliance with the norms. “In our view, such promotion of the customers on offer held as non-compliant is a blatant violation and disregard of TRAI's advisory. Such promotions to customers make the regulatory advisory meaningless,” the letter said.

Customers who have subscribed to the offer prior to its discontinuation will remain eligible to avail the benefits.