TRAI green lights Reliance Jio’s free lifetime voice calling offer

TRAI green lights Reliance Jio’s free lifetime voice calling offer
HIGHLIGHTS

The authority states that the offer complies with existing rules and is not discriminatory

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has stated that Reliance Jio’s offer of lifetime free voice calling services complies with existing rules and are not discriminatory. PTI reports that the authority sent a letter to telecom operators which stated, “it is found that the tariff plans filed with TRAI cannot be considered as IUC non-complaint, predatory and discriminatory, at present.”

A few month’s ago, Reliance Jio stormed into the telecom sector by announcing free voice calling to its subscribers as well free 4G data till December. Reacting to TRAI’s letter, Jio said in a statement, “This clearly establishes the fact that all the tariffs offered by RJIL are in compliance with the prevailing regulations. A key feature of RJIL’s tariff packs is free voice calling for Local, STD and National roaming for all times.”

Incumbent operators have previously questioned Jio’s free voice-calling offer. Recently, it was reported, that TRAI had floated a paper in which it considered removing the interconnect charges for VoLTE calls. Currently, operators are charged 14p, which makes up a huge part of the revenue generated by operators. In response, Cellular Operators Association of India) COAI asked TRAI to put the review of interconnect charges on hold and that the same should be deferred by a few months. Reliance Jio has also accused current operators of violating TRAI norms.

Shrey Pacheco

Shrey Pacheco

Writer, gamer, and hater of public transport. View Full Profile

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