TRAI to examine Airtel, Jio concerns over Vodafone Idea’s customer poaching

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will examine representations received from telecom operators Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio over concerns about rival Vodafone Idea encouraging customers to switch to its network, TRAI Chairman AK Lahoti said on Monday.

“When we get representation from any operator, we look into it... they have expressed some concerns against each other. We will examine whatever has come,” Lahoti said on the sidelines of a Cellular Operators Association of India event.

Lahoti declined to say whether TRAI would call all three operators for a detailed discussion or seek further information on the matter.

A Vodafone Idea spokesperson said the company believed in fair competition and the strength of its products and services. “At all times, we conduct our business in compliance with the law,” the spokesperson said.

Airtel and Jio could not be reached for comment.

The concerns relate to circulation and promotion by Vodafone Idea of tariff benefits specifically linked to customers porting their mobile connections to its network. One of the operators recently approached TRAI over the issue.

In its representation, the operator referred to TRAI’s previous position that preferential or differential tariff benefits offered exclusively to customers porting from another network are impermissible and amount to an inducement for churn.

The operator also urged TRAI to direct Vodafone Idea to immediately stop circulating such promotional communications and submit a compliance report confirming the withdrawal of advertisements, campaigns and sales practices that link tariff benefits to porting into its network.